O former president of France, Nicolas Sarkozystarted in this Tuesday (21) to comply penalty of five years in prison in the penitentiary of Healthin Paris, after being convicted of conspiracy in an illegal election campaign financing scheme with resources from the Libya. The information is from Reuters.
To the 70 yearsSarkozy became the first former French head of state to be imprisoned since Marshal Philippe Pétainconvicted of collaboration with the Nazis after World War II. He ruled France between 2007 e 2012 and still maintains significant influence on the national political scene.
Arrival at prison and public reaction
Sarkozy He left his residence hand in hand with his wife, singer Carla Brunito the applause of supporters who sang the French national anthem, the Marseillaise. The scene, which took place in elite neighborhood Villa Montmorencyin the 16th district of Paris, was accompanied by hundreds of protesters and extensive press coverage.
“Nicolas, we are with you!”, shouted supporters gathered since the early hours of the morning.
The former president boarded an official car shortly after 9:15 am (local time) heading to prison Healthwhere it will be located closed regime.
Accusations and conviction
Sarkozy was accused of orchestrating an international fundraising schemeduring his presidential campaign 2007with financial support from the then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafikilled in 2011 during the Arab Spring.
The French court found guilty of conspiracybut acquitted him of the charge of having personally received the money. According to the accusation, millions of euros in cash circulated between French intermediaries and the Libyan regime to finance the campaign.
Os Sarkozy’s lawyers appealed the decision and submitted a request for early releaseawaiting analysis until December 2025.
“It is not a former president of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning — it is an innocent man”, wrote Sarkozy on the network X (formerly Twitter)claiming to be victim of political persecution.
The routine at La Santé penitentiary
According to information from the prison administration, the former president will be held in a isolation wing of the penitentiary, with individual cell of about 10 m², private shower e controlled access to external communication.
He may watch television for a monthly fee of 14 euros and will have right to a landline telephone line for authorized connections.
In a recent interview with Le FigaroSarkozy revealed that he would take three books for the beginning of imprisonment, among them “The Count of Monte Cristo”classic by Alexandre Dumas about a wrongly imprisoned man who seeks revenge.
Political support and reactions to the arrest
Sarkozy’s arrest provoked strong reaction among allies and supportersespecially from conservative parties and the french far right.
“Nicolas Sarkozy is not a criminal. Justice is taking power, and that is not good for France”, he stated Jacqueline Frabouletone of the supporters who accompanied him to leave his home.
Family members, including children and siblings, were present. Carla Bruni, visibly moved, accompanied her husband to the official vehiclewhile waving to the crowd.
A left oppositionon the other hand, celebrated the outcome, arguing that the decision reinforces the independence of the Judiciary e marks the end of political impunity in France.
Macron and allies under criticism
The president Emmanuel Macronwhich maintains close personal relationship with Sarkozy and Carla Bruni, it would have visited the former president days before his arrestaccording to sources from The World.
The gesture, as well as the promise of Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmaninto also visit him, generated strong opposition reactionwhich accused the government of attempt to symbolically interfere in judicial decisions.
For the French left, Macron’s attitude violates the principle of separation between powers.
A milestone against white-collar crime
Sarkozy’s arrest represents a watershed in French politicssymbolizing judicial tightening against financial crimes committed by public figures.
For decades, convictions against high-ranking politicians in France rarely resulted in actual incarceration. The execution of Sarkozy’s sentence is seen as a historical precedent.
Analysts highlight that the episode can reconfigure public perception of corruption and power in the country, at a time when Marine Le Pen’s far right is growing e the political center seeks to reaffirm institutional credibility.
From rise to political collapse
Son of a Hungarian immigrantNicolas Sarkozy built his career with a speech of modernization and economic vigorcoming to power in 2007 with the promise of revitalize France.
His administration, however, was marked by successive crises — yes 2008 recession to the unpopular reforms in the labor and social security areas.
After leaving the Elysee Palace, Sarkozy continued politically active and kept influence behind the scenes of the French righteven under investigation.
Now, arrested and convictedfaces the most challenging chapter of its trajectory — which many of its supporters describe as “a new Dreyfus”.
📊 Summary of the Sarkozy case:
Conviction: conspiracy and illegal campaign financing (Libya case)
Pena: 5 years in prison (part in closed regime)
Age: 70 years
Prison: La Santé Penitentiary, Paris
Claim: political persecution
Status: appeals on parole
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/10/21/sarkozy-e-preso-em-paris-por-financiamento-ilegal-de-campanha-ex-presidente-da-franca-cumpre-pena-de-5-anos-e-fala-em-perseguicao-politica/
