In a historic first for modern France, former President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence, sparking shockwaves across Europe and beyond.
The 68-year-old, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was convicted of criminal conspiracy linked to illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.
This marks the first time a former French head of state has been incarcerated since World War II.
The case centers on allegations that Sarkozy’s campaign received millions of euros in illicit funding from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. While the court cleared him of more serious charges such as illegal campaign financing and passive corruption, it ruled that he knowingly allowed his associates to secure unlawful support for his campaign.
Sarkozy’s defense maintains that he did not personally benefit financially and insists on his innocence.
Sarkozy entered Paris’s La Santé prison under tight security, accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni. Due to safety concerns, he is being held in solitary confinement in a 9-square-meter cell.
In a defiant statement, Sarkozy declared, “An innocent man is being locked up,” signaling that the battle is far from over. His legal team has already filed for provisional release, hoping for a decision by Christmas while the appeals process moves forward.
The news has ignited political debate in France. Allies of Sarkozy argue that the sentence is excessive, even politically motivated, while opponents say it’s a powerful statement that no one is above the law.
Controversy was further fueled when President Emmanuel Macron met with Sarkozy shortly before his imprisonment, raising questions about the independence of the judiciary in politically sensitive cases.
For many French citizens, the saga is a stark reminder of the high stakes of national politics. For the international community, it serves as a cautionary tale of power, ambition, and accountability at the very top.
Sarkozy’s imprisonment is likely to dominate headlines for weeks, not just in France but around the world. Whether he will secure early release or eventually serve the full term remains uncertain.
