Sarkozy starts prison sentence today as France's first jailed former president

At 70 years old, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy begins his five-year prison term on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy but not guilty of receiving illegal campaign financing from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, making him the first ex-leader in France to be jailed since World War II.

As he embarks on this unprecedented journey, Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, maintains his innocence, expressing "deep sorrow for France."

He declared, "It is not a former President being locked up, it is an innocent person," highlighting his conviction in the face of adversity.

In a show of familial support, his family attended the gathering, while Parisian resident Michelle Perie articulated her anger over what she perceives as injustice, illustrating the public's divided sentiment regarding his incarceration.

Facing this challenging chapter, Sarkozy will be held in solitary confinement, a stark contrast to his former life of power.

He plans to take three books with him to prison, including The Count of Monte Cristo. This choice suggests he is looking for inspiration from the story, which is about escape and finding a new life.

He hopes to find strength from the book as he adjusts to being in prison.