Former French President Sarkozy to Begin Prison Sentence

Nicolas Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, will begin his prison term following his conviction in the high-profile “Libya case.” The former leader was accused of illegally soliciting funds from former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 presidential campaign.

Court Verdict

On September 25, the Paris Criminal Court found Sarkozy guilty of creating a criminal organization but acquitted him of passive corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and illegal campaign financing. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, with the sentence to be served immediately despite pending appeals.

Prison Details

Sarkozy will report to La Santé Prison in Paris at 09:30 local time. For his safety, prison authorities have assigned him a single-occupancy cell measuring 11 square meters, equipped with a window. He has reportedly made no special requests regarding the conditions of his imprisonment.

Political and Public Context

The case stems from allegations that Sarkozy received illegal financial support from Libya during his 2007 election campaign. The investigation, which began in 2013, has been closely followed by both national and international media, marking one of the most high-profile corruption cases involving a former French head of state.