French Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Prison Sentence for Campaign Finance Conviction

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence following his conviction for criminal conspiracy in connection with illicit financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.

At 70 years old, Sarkozy left his Paris residence on Tuesday, accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni, and their children.

A crowd of supporters gathered outside, chanting his name as he departed for La Santé Prison in Paris.

Sarkozy was convicted for his role in obtaining illegal campaign funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He has consistently maintained his innocence, calling the verdict a “judicial scandal” and vowing to continue his legal fight while behind bars.

Upon arrival at La Santé Prison, Sarkozy underwent standard intake procedures, including fingerprinting and a mug shot. For safety reasons, he has been placed in solitary confinement, with access to a 95-square-foot cell and limited daily exercise.

This marks the first time in modern French history that a former president has been imprisoned. The sentence has ignited heated debate across France, with supporters criticizing the ruling as unjust, while critics have raised questions about judicial independence.