Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday entered prison to begin a five-year sentence for conspiring to secure illegal campaign funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential run.
The former conservative leader, who governed France from 2007 to 2012, becomes the first former French leader to be imprisoned since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War II.
Sarkozy was driven away under police escort to La Sante prison in the French capital. The 70-year-old had earlier walked hand in hand outside his home with wife Carla Bruni as supporters gathered outside, chanting "Nicolas, Nicolas," and singing the French national anthem. Sarkozy's sons, daughter and grandchildren were also present to say goodbye.
What has Sarkozy said about going to prison?
While on his way to jail, Sarkozy released a social media statement saying he would continue to denounce "this judicial scandal."
"As I am about to cross the gates of La Sante prison, my thoughts go to the French women and men of all backgrounds and all opinions," he said. "I want to tell them with the unshakeable strength that is mine that it is not a former President of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning — it is an innocent man."
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday entered prison to begin a five-year sentence for conspiring to secure illegal campaign funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential run.
The former conservative leader, who governed France from 2007 to 2012, becomes the first former French leader to be imprisoned since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War II.
Sarkozy was driven away under police escort to La Sante prison in the French capital. The 70-year-old had earlier walked hand in hand outside his home with wife Carla Bruni as supporters gathered outside, chanting "Nicolas, Nicolas," and singing the French national anthem. Sarkozy's sons, daughter and grandchildren were also present to say goodbye.
What has Sarkozy said about going to prison?
While on his way to jail, Sarkozy released a social media statement saying he would continue to denounce "this judicial scandal."
"As I am about to cross the gates of La Sante prison, my thoughts go to the French women and men of all backgrounds and all opinions," he said. "I want to tell them with the unshakeable strength that is mine that it is not a former President of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning — it is an innocent man."
Following renovations, cells at La Sante now include private showers. Sarkozy will also have access to a television for a monthly fee of 14 euros ($16) and a landline telephone.
He told France's Le Figaro newspaper he planned to take three books for his first week behind bars, including Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo — the tale of a man unjustly imprisoned who seeks revenge on those who betrayed him.
Sarkozy can apply for conditional release immediately after beginning his prison sentence because he is 70 years old. Under French law, inmates aged 70 and older are eligible to serve their sentences outside prison under specific conditions, such as electronic monitoring or supervised residence.
