FRANCE’S EX-PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY JAILED, PROCLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE
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Paris, France — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been jailed, marking him as the first former leader of a major European state to receive such a sentence.
The 70-year-old conservative figure served from 2007 to 2012 and was handed a five-year prison term in September after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy for attempting to secure campaign funding from Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in exchange for political assistance.
As he was transferred to the prison in Paris, he declared his innocence via social media:
“It is not a former president of the republic being jailed this morning, but an innocent man. I have no doubt. The truth will prevail.”
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When asked his fate, his lawyer said the appeals court has up to two months to decide whether he may be released pending an appeal — but he will likely remain behind bars for at least three weeks to a month.
Sarkozy is expected to be held in his cell in the solitary-confinement wing of the prison, with limited time outside for walks and restricted visits, as reported by prison officials.
The case stems from alleged 2005 negotiations in which Gaddafi’s Libya was said to fund Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, in return for political favour including a rehabilitation of Libya’s international standing after years of sanctions. While the court found him guilty of conspiracy, it did not rule that he personally received or used the funds.
Public reaction in France has been mixed: a survey found that six in ten citizens believe the sentence is fair, though Sarkozy retains strong support on the French right.
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