France’s Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Prison Term over Libyan Funding Case
France’s former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, on Tuesday began serving a prison sentence after being found guilty of seeking illegal Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential campaign. The 70-year-old politician, who led France from 2007 to 2012, becomes the first former head of an EU country to serve time behind bars, marking a historic moment in European political history.
Sarkozy was seen leaving his Paris home hand-in-hand with his wife, singer Carla Bruni, before entering a waiting car escorted by police motorbikes. The couple appeared composed as they left the residence, where dozens of supporters had gathered to show solidarity. The former president was taken to La Santé Prison in Paris, where he is expected to begin his sentence immediately.
The former French leader was sentenced in September to five years in prison after a court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy over an alleged plan involving late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi to secretly fund his 2007 presidential campaign. Prosecutors said millions of euros were funneled from Kadhafi’s regime to support Sarkozy’s election bid. He has repeatedly denied the accusations, describing them as politically motivated and lacking evidence.
“If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison — but with my head held high,” Sarkozy said following his September 25 conviction. His legal team has since filed an appeal, arguing that the verdict was unjust and that the case relied heavily on unreliable testimony and circumstantial evidence.
Outside his home, supporters gathered from early Tuesday morning, waving French flags, displaying framed portraits of Sarkozy, and singing the national anthem, “La Marseillaise.” The atmosphere was emotional, with some residents watching from their balconies as the former leader departed under police escort.
“This is truly a sad day for France and for democracy. This trial is based on nothing,” said Flora Amanou, 41, one of Sarkozy’s supporters who said she had followed his political journey for years. Many of his backers expressed dismay, insisting that the former president was being unfairly targeted.
Sarkozy’s imprisonment marks the first time a French leader has been jailed since Philippe Pétain, the head of France’s collaborationist government during World War II, who was convicted of treason after the war. The development has reignited debates in France about political accountability, corruption, and the integrity of the justice system.
Despite his conviction, Sarkozy remains a prominent figure in French conservative politics. His fall from grace has drawn widespread reactions, with observers describing it as a defining moment for the French judiciary and a test of equality before the law. As he begins his prison term, the case continues to attract national and international attention, highlighting the long shadow of political scandal over one of France’s most influential modern leaders.