Nicolas Sarkozy, former president of France from 2007 to 2012, became today the first French ex-president to serve a prison sentence.

He was sentenced to five years for conspiring to finance his presidential campaign with funds from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Since the imprisonment of collaborationist leader Philippe Pétain in 1945, no French head of state had ever been jailed. 

Sarkozy entered La Santé prison in Montparnasse, Paris, where he will occupy a 9-square-meter cell in the isolation wing for his safety. The section provides a bathroom, shower, desk, small television, and one hour of daily individual exercise.

The former president stated he does not expect special treatment and maintained a firm message of innocence on X: “It is not a former president being jailed, but an innocent man.” 

As he left his family villa in Paris’ 16th district, dozens of supporters applauded Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. His sons Louis and Pierre sent messages of support and love. Sarkozy’s arrival at La Santé was heavily guarded, with police cordoning off surrounding streets to ensure security. 

Before entering prison, Sarkozy emphasized he is not afraid of jail and will keep his head high. He has always denied personally receiving Gaddafi’s money, although he was convicted of illicit association along with Brice Hortefeux and Claude Guéant, for their involvement in the secret funding of his 2007 campaign.

The Libyan payments were arranged through intermediaries, including Ziad Tiakeddine, who died prior to the conviction. 

Macron and his stance on Sarkozy

President Emmanuel Macron met Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace last week, describing the meeting as a human gesture toward a predecessor. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced he would visit the former president in prison to oversee safety and the proper functioning of La Santé. 

Sarkozy brought two books to prison: a life of Jesus and The Count of Monte Cristo, symbolizing his situation as a man unjustly jailed. Analysts note this event sets a historical precedent in France, where no former president had ever been incarcerated for crimes related to political activity.

 The case has sparked debate on justice, leadership accountability, and campaign transparency. Meanwhile, France watches closely how the judicial process unfolds and how Nicolas Sarkozy will face the years of his sentence in La Santé.