WEB DESK: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy entered La Sante prison in Paris on Tuesday to begin serving a five-year sentence for allegedly conspiring to secure campaign funds from Libya, marking a striking fall from grace for the leader who governed the nation from 2007 to 2012.
Earlier in the day, the former conservative leader departed his residence accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni, walking hand in hand as supporters gathered to cheer him on. The crowd chanted his name and sang the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.
Convicted and sentenced last month, Sarkozy now becomes the first former French head of state to face imprisonment since Marshal Philippe Petain, a Nazi collaborator, after World War II.
Following his departure toward La Santé, Sarkozy released an extended statement on X, where he characterized himself as a victim of personal vendettas and hostility.
He stated with determination, “I want to tell French citizens that this morning, it is not a former president of the Republic who is being locked away it is an innocent man.”
The conviction culminates years of legal wrangling over claims that his 2007 presidential campaign received millions in cash from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was later ousted and killed during the Arab Spring uprisings.
Although Sarkozy was deemed guilty of conspiring with close associates to orchestrate the scheme, he was cleared of directly receiving or utilizing the funds. He has steadfastly refuted all allegations, describing the case as politically driven.
Guillaume Sarkozy, his brother, expressed unwavering support and admiration. “I am very proud of him. Proud that he is facing this with dignity and completely convinced of his innocence,” he said. Family members and loyal supporters rallied around Sarkozy as he made his way to prison.
