Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has commenced serving his five-year prison term following his conviction for receiving millions of euros from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to support his 2007 election campaign.
Sarkozy, aged 70, who governed France from 2007 to 2012, was incarcerated on Tuesday in a nine-square-meter cell at La Santé prison in Paris. The historic prison, dating back to the 19th century, has a grim past, having housed notorious criminals and witnessed guillotine executions until 1972. Notably, Jean-Luc Brunel, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was also detained at La Santé before his demise in 2022 while facing sex-trafficking charges.
Despite being designed for 657 inmates, La Santé currently accommodates 1,243 prisoners, making it severely overcrowded. France ranks among the top countries in Europe for prison overcrowding, surpassed only by Slovenia and Cyprus, according to the Council of Europe.
Sarkozy is reportedly housed in a solitary cell within the isolation wing for his safety. In this unit, inmates primarily remain alone and have limited outdoor time, separated from others, with window coverings to restrict communication, as outlined in a 2020 report by the Supervisor-General of Places of Deprivation of Liberty.
Within his cell, Sarkozy has basic amenities such as a toilet, shower, desk, small electric hob, and a television, for which he incurs a monthly fee of £12, along with the option to have a small fridge for £6.50 monthly.
Former La Santé deputy head Flavie Rault described the conditions in the isolation wing as challenging due to constant isolation and minimal contact with other detainees. Sarkozy is under continuous police protection, with two officers stationed nearby due to perceived threats against him.
A video surfaced online showing a fellow inmate threatening Sarkozy, referencing the ex-president’s association with Gaddafi and Ziad Takieddine, a key witness who died under mysterious circumstances. Despite maintaining his innocence, Sarkozy faces the harsh reality of prison life in the “VIP” wing alongside other high-profile and at-risk inmates.
Sarkozy’s lawyer denied any special treatment for the former president, emphasizing the noisy environment and lack of distinction in his cell compared to other prisoners. Following his first night in jail, Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, described the experience as “terrifying,” while family members are permitted three visits weekly.
In his cell, Sarkozy plans to read three books, including The Count of Monte Cristo and a biography of Jesus Christ, while also contemplating writing a book about his prison journey. Convicted of criminal conspiracy in September, Sarkozy faces allegations of receiving funds from Libya for his campaign, which he vehemently denies. An appeal has been filed, and a decision on his conviction is pending within two months.