French ex-president Sarkozy begins jail sentence

12 hours ago

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Nicolas Sarkozy begins a five-year jail sentence for conspiring to fund his 2007 election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
He is the first French ex-president to go to jail since World War II, occupying a small cell in La Santé prison's isolation wing for safety.
Sarkozy maintains his innocence, stating on social media that 'Truth will prevail' and expressing sorrow for 'a France humiliated by a will for revenge.'
His lawyer has filed a request for his release, arguing there is no justification for his imprisonment, but he is expected to remain jailed for at least three weeks to a month.
Sarkozy will have basic amenities in his cell, including a toilet, shower, desk, small electric hob, and a TV, but is in solitary confinement with only one hour of daily exercise.
President Emmanuel Macron met Sarkozy before his imprisonment, calling it 'normal' to receive a predecessor in such circumstances, while Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin plans to visit him in prison.
Sarkozy faces another legal battle next month over the Bygmalion affair, involving illegal campaign financing, and has previously been convicted in a separate bribery case.
He denies all allegations, including claims that his 2007 campaign was funded by Libyan cash, though two close aides were convicted for their roles in secret financing.
Sarkozy plans to take two books to prison: a biography of Jesus and 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' a story of wrongful imprisonment and revenge.

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