Tue Oct 21 10:53:52 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former French President Sarkozy Begins Prison Sentence for Illegal Campaign Funding
Paris, France – Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of France, has entered La Sante prison in Paris this morning to begin serving a five-year jail sentence for criminal conspiracy. The conviction stems from his 2007 election campaign, which was found to have received millions of euros in illegal funding from the late Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy has consistently denied the charges, claiming his innocence as he headed to prison.
Sarkozy’s arrival at the prison marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first former head of an EU state to be jailed. A request for release has been immediately filed, his lawyers said as he arrived to start his sentence. “It is not a former president of the republic being jailed this morning, but an innocent man,” he said on X on his way to prison. “Truth will prevail.”
Dozens of supporters gathered outside Sarkozy’s home early Tuesday morning, holding portraits and chanting “Free Nicolas.” The group sang the French national anthem as Sarkozy departed. “This is truly a sad day for France and for democracy,” said supporter Flora Amanou.
Sarkozy is the first French leader to be imprisoned since Philippe Petain, the Nazi collaborationist head of state jailed after World War II. He will be held in a solitary confinement cell and allowed limited contact with other prisoners. Sarkozy told Le Figaro newspaper he will be taking with him a biography of Jesus and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo.
The court has two months to examine the release appeal lodged by his lawyers. Presiding judge Nathalie Gavarino deemed the offenses of “exceptional gravity,” leading to the immediate imprisonment order.
First Piper 