Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy entered prison Tuesday to begin a five-year sentence for conspiring to receive illegal campaign funds from Libya for the 2007 presidential election.
The former conservative leader, who ruled France from 2007 to 2012, became the first former French leader to be imprisoned since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Pétain after World War II.
The 70-year-old man was taken to La Sainte prison in the French capital under police guard. Sarkozy had earlier walked out of his home hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni as supporters gathered outside chanting “Nicolas, Nicolas” and singing the French national anthem. His son, daughter and grandchildren were also present to say goodbye.
What did Sarkozy say when he went to jail?
While being jailed, Sarkozy issued a social media statement saying he would continue to condemn “this judicial scandal”.
As I cross the gates of La Santé prison, my thoughts are with French women and men of all backgrounds and all opinions.” He added, “I want to tell them with all my unwavering strength that it is no former President of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning – this is an innocent man.”
He said he was convicted “after a lengthy investigation based on a document, the falsification of which has now been established.”
A Paris judge, citing “the seriousness of the disruption to public order caused by the crime”, ruled that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy should begin serving a prison sentence without waiting for a hearing on his appeal.
Under the ruling, Sarkozy, 70, can only request release from the appeals court after entering prison, with judges given up to two months to review the proposal.
Sarkozy’s lawyers said a request for release would be filed very soon.
This is a developing story that will be updated…