Nicolas Sarkozy enters Paris prison for Libya campaign financing conviction

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy He entered a Paris prison on Tuesday to begin serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with money from Libya – a historic moment that makes him the first former leader of modern France to be imprisoned.

Hundreds of supporters greeted Sarkozy, 70, when he left his home in Paris earlier in the day, holding his wife, model-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. He hugged her before getting into the police car.

Minutes later, the car passed through the gates of the notorious La Santé prison, where Sarkozy is now serving his sentence in solitary confinement.

Sarkozy was convicted last month of the charges Criminal conspiracy In a plan to finance his 2007 election campaign with money from Libya.

He objects to the conviction and the judge’s unusual decision to detain him pending appeal. His lawyers said on Tuesday that they had submitted an immediate request for his release.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison in a corruption case in Libya

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, leave their home Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Paris as Nicolas Sarkozy heads to prison to serve time in a criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with money from Libya. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Offer to challenge

“It is an unfortunate day for him, for France and for our institutions, because this imprisonment is a disgrace,” Jean-Michel Darois, Sarkozy’s lawyer, told reporters shortly after his imprisonment.

In a show of defiance, while on his way to prison, Sarkozy issued a statement on social media announcing that an “innocent man” was in custody.

“I will continue to condemn this judicial scandal,” he wrote. “The truth will prevail.”

Sarkozy told Le Figaro newspaper that he would bring three books to prison – the maximum allowed – including “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, in which the hero escapes from an island prison before seeking revenge. He also chose a biography of Jesus Christ.

“I am not afraid of prison,” he told La Tribune Dimanche newspaper last week. “I will hold my head high, including at the doors of La Santé.” “I will fight to the end.”

Sarkozy has repeatedly said that he is the victim of a “conspiracy” hatched by some people linked to the Libyan government and denounced the September 25 ruling as a “scandal.”

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, arrives at La Santé prison to serve a sentence for a criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with money from Libya, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Emma da Silva)

Solitary confinement

Sarkozy’s lawyers said he would be kept away from all other prisoners for security reasons. They said he packed his bag with some jackets because the prison was cold and earplugs because it was noisy.

Christophe Engren, one of Sarkozy’s lawyers, denounced the “serious injustice.”

“It’s a very difficult time, but the president has stood strong,” Engren said. “He didn’t complain, he didn’t ask for anything, no special treatment.”

Ingren said solitary confinement means Sarkozy will never see other prisoners and will spend most of his time alone in his cell.

He will be allowed to go out for an hour a day alone in the prison yard and get three visits a week from his family, Engren said, adding that he plans to write a book about his prison experience.

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People stand behind French flags with the inscription “Courage Nicolas, come back soon,” right, and “Real France with Nicolas” outside the home of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Masha McPherson)

A wave of support for the former president

Sarkozy’s journey from the Elysée presidential palace to La Sainte prison captivated France.

After leaving their home, Sarkozy and his wife walked slowly to join family members, including his children and grandchildren, outside his home.

His brother Guillaume Sarkozy said: “I’m very proud to share his name, and very proud of the way he reacted.” “I’m truly convinced he’s innocent.”

Hundreds of supporters clapped, chanted “Nicola, Nicola” and sang the French national anthem. Two French flags were hung on a nearby fence, reading: “Courage Nicolas, come back soon” and “Real France with Nicolas.”

Virginie Rochon (44 years old), who lives in Paris, came to support Sarkozy, describing it as “shameful” to see “a former president taken while he is still innocent.”

Another supporter, Veronique Morey (50 years old), said: “This is not possible. Moreover, calling it some kind of ‘criminal conspiracy’ makes us all feel like criminals too, because we voted for him. It is not right to say that.”

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy reacts before entering a police car Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Paris as he heads to prison to serve time in a criminal plot to finance his 2007 election campaign with money from Libya. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Meeting with Macron

The besieged middle President Emmanuel Macron Sarkozy hosted the governor at the presidential palace last week, explaining that it was “normal on a human level” for him to receive one of his predecessors in this context.

Macron said on Tuesday that he would not comment on the justice’s decision. “However, it is natural for the image of the imprisoned president to attract…comments,” he added.

Macron added: “We must distinguish between feelings, including the legitimate feelings of relatives and part of the country… and the proper administration of justice.”

Sarkozy has been retired from active politics for years, but still wields significant influence, especially in conservative circles.

French Chief Justice Rémy Heitz, a prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, warned on Tuesday of the risk of “obstructing the purity (of justice)” and “undermining the independence of judges,” including when the justice minister – a former conservative who joined Macron’s party – plans to visit Sarkozy in prison.

“Everyone’s goal should be calm, to allow justice to rule truly independently… free from any pressure,” Heitz said.

A Paris court ruled last month that Sarkozy would begin serving his prison sentence without waiting for his appeal to be heard, due to “the seriousness of the disturbance of public order resulting from the crime.”

The court said that Sarkozy, as a presidential candidate and interior minister, used his position to “prepare for corruption at the highest level” from 2005 to 2007, financing his presidential campaign with money from Libya – which was led by long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

Under this ruling, Sarkozy could only apply for release to the Court of Appeal once behind bars. Judges have up to two months to process it.