Ex-French leader Sarkozy declares himself “an innocent man” as he’s jailed
Paris — Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy declared his innocence as he entered a Paris prison on Tuesday, becoming the first head of a European Union state to be imprisoned. Right-wing leader of France from 2007 to 2012. Sarkozy was found guilty last month An effort to obtain funds from Libya for the election campaign of Muammar Gaddafi.
AFP journalists saw the 70-year-old man, who objected to the decision, leave his home and enter La Sante prison in the French capital after a short ride accompanied by motorcycle police.
AFP reporters heard convicts shouting “Welcome Sarkozy!” and “Sarkozy is here” from their cells.
In a defiant message posted on social media as he was transferred, Sarkozy again denied any wrongdoing.
“The person who was imprisoned this morning is not a former president of the republic, but an innocent man,” he said in his post. “I have no doubt. The truth will prevail.”
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni are seen leaving their home in Paris, France, on October 21, 2025. / Credit: Pierre Suu/Getty
Sarkozy He was sentenced to five years in prison in September for criminal conspiracy based on a plan The last period of Libyan dictator Gaddafi to finance the election campaign. Gaddafi was killed In 2011, he was the first leader to be killed during the “Arab Spring” uprisings that shook the Middle East as some countries with long-standing dictatorial regimes faced popular revolts.
Sarkozy said after the verdict on September 25 that “I will sleep in prison but with my head held high.”
Dozens of supporters and family members stood outside the former president’s home early Tuesday; some held framed portraits of him.
They shouted “Nicolas, Nicolas! Free Nicolas” as he left his home holding hands with his wife, singer Carla Bruni.
Previously, neighbors had sung the French national anthem while looking on from their balconies.
“This is a truly sad day for France and for democracy,” said Flora Amanou, 41.
Sarkozy’s lawyer said that the request for release has already been made
Sarkozy’s lawyer Christophe Ingrain said that an immediate request was made for Sarkozy’s release.
The Paris appeals court in theory has two months to decide whether to release him until the appeal hearing is over, but the delay is usually shorter.
“He’ll be in there for at least three weeks to a month,” Ingrain said.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy waves to supporters as he leaves his home for La Sante Prison to serve a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of criminal conspiracy related to a scheme to finance former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s 2007 election campaign, Paris, France, October 21, 2025. / Credit: Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/Getty
Sarkozy became the first French leader to be imprisoned since Nazi collaborator head of state Philippe Petain, who was imprisoned after World War II.
Sarkozy told Le Figaro newspaper that he would take with him a biography of Jesus and a copy of the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”, about an innocent man sentenced to prison and escaping for revenge.
Sarkozy likely faces solitary confinement
Sarkozy will be kept in a 95 square meter cell in the prison’s isolation wing to avoid contact with other inmates, prison staff told AFP.
In solitary confinement, prisoners are allowed to leave their cells once a day, alone in a small courtyard. Sarkozy will also be allowed to visit three times a week.
The former French president has many legal problems
Sarkozy has faced a series of legal troubles since losing his re-election bid in 2012.
He was also convicted in two cases.
In one of them, he was sentenced to house arrest for corruption for trying to gain favors from a judge while wearing an electronic ankle tag that was issued a few months later in May.
In another, France’s top court is set to rule next month in a case accusing him of illegally financing his 2012 campaign.
In the so-called “Libya case,” prosecutors said aides acting on Sarkozy’s behalf made a deal with him in 2005 to illegally finance Gaddafi’s victorious presidential bid two years later.
Investigators believe that after Tripoli was blamed for the 1988 incident, Gaddafi was promised help to rebuild his international image in return. Bombing of a passenger plane over LockerbieIn 1989, another in Scotland and Niger killed hundreds of travelers.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrive for dinner at the Elysee Palace in Orly, France, on December 10, 2007. / Credit: Thomas SAMSON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
The court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy in connection with the scheme, but could not conclude that Sarkozy had received or used funds for his campaign.
The court acquitted him of charges of embezzlement of Libyan public funds, passive corruption and illegal financing of the election campaign.
Sarkozy had already been stripped of France’s highest decoration, the Legion of Honour, following his previous corruption conviction.
Six in 10 people in France believe a prison sentence is “fair”, according to pollster Elabe’s survey of more than 1,000 adults. But Sarkozy still enjoys support from the French right and has occasionally held private meetings with President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron welcomed Sarkozy to the Elysee Palace on Friday, telling the press this week: “It was normal on a human level to receive one of my predecessors in this context.”
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