Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been jailed
Zuko Komisa
- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been jailed in Paris, becoming the first ex-EU head of state to enter prison following a corruption conviction.
- The 70-year-old was sentenced to five years for securing illicit campaign funding from the late Libyan dictator, Moamer Kadhafi.
- Sarkozy entered La Santé prison maintaining his innocence, while supporters gathered outside his home to protest the conviction.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has become the first ex-leader of an EU state to be jailed, entering La Santé prison in Paris on Tuesday following his corruption conviction.
The 70-year-old right-wing leader, who served from 2007 to 2012, was found guilty last month and subsequently sentenced to a five-year term for criminal conspiracy.
The conviction relates to his efforts to secure illicit campaign funding from the late Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi, for his successful 2007 election bid.
Sarkozy, who has appealed the verdict, was driven to the Parisian facility flanked by police escorts. As he was transferred, inmates were heard shouting from their cells.
In a defiant social media post, the former President maintained his innocence.
“It is not a former president of the republic being jailed this morning, but an innocent man,” he posted on X, adding: “The truth will prevail.”
Dozens of loyal supporters gathered outside his home, chanting “Free Nicolas” and singing the French national anthem as he left, holding hands with his wife, Carla Bruni. The sentencing marks a historic and controversial moment in European politics.
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