Translated with AI
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived at Paris's Santé Prison to begin his five-year sentence in the so-called "Libyan case" for illegal campaign financing. He is the first former French president to receive a prison sentence.
According to Reuters, Sarkozy's car arrived at the prison gates at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time. The former president will be held in solitary confinement with a private shower, at least until his appeal against the sentence is heard.
"I'm not afraid of prison. I'll stand with my head held high at the entrance to Santé," Sarkozy said in an interview with Tribune Dimanche published yesterday.
The verdict was handed down on September 25, but the former president was not taken into custody in the courtroom, given time to complete his personal affairs and report to the penitentiary in person.
Sarkozy served as President of France from 2007 to 2012. He was convicted of participating in a criminal organization in connection with his alleged receipt of millions of euros from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.
Sarkozy was acquitted of other charges—illegal campaign financing, misuse of Libyan public funds, and passive participation in a corruption scheme. The former president pleaded not guilty, calling the trial politically motivated, and appealed the verdict.
On Tuesday morning, supporters of the former president gathered outside the home of Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. His family, including his sons and ex-wife, called on citizens to support Sarkozy and express solidarity with him. An hour before leaving, the former president and his wife left the house holding hands. Supporters chanted "Nicolas, Nicolas!", a Reuters correspondent reported.
Sarkozy is the first French president since World War II to serve a real prison sentence. He will begin his term at the Santé prison in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.
