Sarkozy Begins Jail Term Over Libyan Campaign Funding Scheme

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a jail sentence following his conviction for criminal conspiracy related to his 2007 presidential campaign. This marks a historic moment, as Sarkozy becomes the first ex-head of state from an EU country to be incarcerated. He was sentenced on September 25, 2023, for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to secure illegal funding from the late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Sarkozy’s time in prison will be at La Santé prison in Paris, where he is expected to be held in solitary confinement to prevent interactions with other inmates. The decision for solitary confinement aims to mitigate the risks of evidence tampering or witness intimidation during the appeals process. His cell measures approximately nine square meters (95 square feet), providing a stark contrast to his previous life in political power.

The presiding judge, Nathalie Gavarino, described the crimes as of “exceptional gravity.” Despite his conviction, Sarkozy has denounced the ruling as an “injustice” and has filed an appeal. His lawyers are anticipated to request his immediate release upon his entry into the prison, although the appeals court has two months to deliberate on the case.

Sarkozy is no stranger to legal troubles; he has faced multiple convictions since leaving office in 2012. In a previous case, he received a graft sentence for attempting to gain favors from a judge. The charges related to the so-called “Libyan case” stem from allegations that Sarkozy’s aides negotiated a deal with Kadhafi in 2005 to illegally fund his electoral campaign. Prosecutors asserted that in exchange for the financial support, Sarkozy promised assistance to rehabilitate Kadhafi’s international reputation.

While he was acquitted of certain charges, including embezzlement and passive corruption, the court ruled that the conspiracy’s implications warranted imprisonment. Following his graft conviction, Sarkozy was stripped of France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honour.

A recent survey conducted by pollster Elabe revealed that six out of ten people in France view the prison sentence as justified. Despite this, Sarkozy retains a degree of popularity within the French right. His son, Louis Sarkozy, has been vocal in calling for support for his father, urging people to gather outside their home.

The sentencing has not been without controversy. Judge Gavarino received death threats in the wake of her ruling, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to condemn such attacks as “unacceptable.”

La Santé prison has housed several notable figures in the past, including the Venezuelan militant Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known as Carlos the Jackal, and more recently, the late French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who was found dead in his cell in 2022.

As Sarkozy embarks on this new chapter, the implications of his conviction resonate far beyond his individual case, highlighting significant issues surrounding political integrity and accountability in France.