Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has commenced serving his five-year prison term following a conviction for receiving millions of euros from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.
Sarkozy, aged 70, who governed France from 2007 to 2012, has been confined to a cell measuring nine square meters at La Santé prison in Paris. This 19th-century facility has a grim past, having housed notorious criminals and hosted guillotine executions until 1972. Notably, Jean-Luc Brunel, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was also temporarily held there before his demise in 2022.
Despite being designed for 657 inmates, La Santé currently accommodates 1,243 prisoners, highlighting France’s severe prison overcrowding issue, with only Slovenia and Cyprus surpassing it in Europe, according to the Council of Europe.
Reportedly, Sarkozy is held in a solitary cell within the isolation wing for his protection. In this unit, inmates spend most of their time alone, with limited outdoor time and communication with others, as outlined in a 2020 report by the Supervisor-General of Places of Deprivation of Liberty.
Within his cell, Sarkozy has basic amenities like a toilet, shower, desk, small electric hob, and a TV, for which he incurs a monthly fee. Additionally, he is entitled to a small fridge for a separate monthly cost.
Former La Santé deputy head Flavie Rault described the conditions in the isolation wing as challenging, emphasizing the constant isolation and lack of social interaction for detainees.
To ensure his safety, two police officers are stationed nearby Sarkozy’s cell. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez clarified that the heightened security is warranted due to potential threats against the former president during his incarceration.
Notably, a video emerged online showing a fellow inmate making threats against Sarkozy, alluding to seeking retribution for Gaddafi’s alleged financial transactions with the Lebanese arms dealer Ziad Takieddine, who passed away under questionable circumstances earlier this year.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Sarkozy expressed optimism about the truth prevailing as he embarked on his prison term. His cell is believed to be situated in the “VIP” wing, where high-profile and at-risk prisoners are housed, although conditions are reported to be similar to other parts of the prison.
Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, conveyed her distress after speaking with him following his first night in prison. His legal team stated that family members are permitted three visits per week.
Sarkozy indicated his intention to bring three books, including “The Count of Monte Cristo” and a biography of Jesus Christ, to occupy his time in jail. Moreover, he plans to document his incarceration experience in a forthcoming book.
In a separate matter, Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy in September, with allegations of orchestrating the transfer of up to €50 million from Libya for his campaign, charges he vehemently denies. His legal team has lodged an appeal, awaiting a decision within two months on the conviction’s validity.