Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Imprisonment for Campaign Finance Conspiracy

Thu Oct 30 2025 23:46:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy embarks on a five-year prison sentence, marking a historical moment as he becomes the first ex-president of France to serve time behind bars for financial misconduct linked to his election campaign.

In a significant legal event, Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of France from 2007 to 2012, has started serving a five-year prison term after being convicted of conspiracy related to funding his presidential campaign with money from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. His appeal against the conviction is underway, as he insists on his innocence, calling the prosecution a 'revenge' against him. Sarkozy's incarceration is unprecedented in modern French history and highlights the serious ramifications of political corruption.

Nicolas Sarkozy has become the first French ex-president to go to jail, starting a five-year sentence for conspiring to fund his election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Not since World War Two Nazi collaborationist leader Philippe Pétain was jailed for treason in 1945 has any French ex-leader gone behind bars.

Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has appealed against his jail term at La Santé prison, where he will occupy a small cell in its isolation wing.

More than 100 people applauded and shouted 'Nicolas!' as he left his villa in the exclusive 16th district of Paris, holding his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy by the hand.

His son Louis, 28, called for show of support, while another son, Pierre, requested messages of love. Sarkozy was driven through the entrance of the overcrowded 19th-century prison in the Montparnasse district at 09:40 local time, confining most surrounding streets with dozens of police.

He continues to protest his innocence in the controversial Libyan money affair and shared a message on X as he was transported to jail, saying: 'I have no doubt. Truth will prevail. But how crushing the price will have been.'

Sarkozy's defense attorney, Christophe Ingrain, indicated that a request for his release had been submitted. He argued that nothing justified Sarkozy's imprisonment and noted he would be incarcerated for at least three weeks or a month.

Though Sarkozy has expressed desires for no special treatment, he is currently isolated for safety reasons, being placed among notorious inmates.

Sarkozy's conditions in the isolation wing are challenging. His cell is reportedly between 9-11 sq m (95-120 sq ft) and equipped with a toilet, shower, desk, and small TV. He is allowed only one hour of exercise per day in a segregated courtyard.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with Sarkozy before his imprisonment, acknowledging the human aspect of the situation without commenting on the judicial decision. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has also expressed his intention to visit Sarkozy in prison.

Maintaining he has committed no crimes regarding the campaign funding allegations, Sarkozy's appeal against a six-month jail term in another financing case related to the Bygmalion affair will soon be heard by France's highest administrative court.

He has stated that he is not afraid of prison and plans to maintain his dignity during this tough period.