Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has commenced serving a five-year prison term following his conviction for receiving millions of euros from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.
The 70-year-old, who governed France from 2007 to 2012, is now incarcerated in a nine-square-meter cell at La Santé prison in Paris. This historic prison has housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals and witnessed guillotine executions until 1972. Notably, model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, linked to Jeffrey Epstein, was also detained there before his death in 2022.
La Santé is known for its severe overcrowding, currently accommodating 1,243 inmates despite being designed for 657 individuals, as reported by the Justice Ministry. France’s prison overcrowding rates rank high in Europe, trailing only Slovenia and Cyprus, according to the Council of Europe.
Sarkozy is reportedly held in a solitary cell within the isolation wing for safety reasons. In this unit, inmates mostly remain isolated, with limited outdoor time and restricted communication between them, as outlined in a 2020 report by the Supervisor-General of Places of Deprivation of Liberty.
His cell is equipped with basic amenities including a toilet, shower, desk, small electric stove, and a TV for a monthly fee of £12. Additionally, he has the option to have a small fridge for £6.50 a month.
Former La Santé deputy head Flavie Rault described the conditions in the isolation wing as challenging due to constant solitude and minimal interaction with other inmates. To ensure Sarkozy’s safety, two police officers are stationed in adjacent cells.
Amid concerns for his security, a video surfaced with an inmate threatening Sarkozy, mentioning Ziad Takieddine, a key witness who died mysteriously earlier this year. Despite maintaining his innocence, Sarkozy faces the reality of his prison sentence, asserting that the truth will prevail while lamenting the harsh consequences.
His cell location in the “VIP” wing does not exempt him from the noise and hardships of regular prison life, as highlighted by a prison guard union representative. Despite police protection, Sarkozy’s lawyer emphasized that he is not receiving preferential treatment compared to other inmates.
Following his first night in prison, Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, described the experience as “terrifying.” While in detention, he plans to read three books, including The Count of Monte Cristo and a biography of Jesus Christ, and intends to document his time in jail through a book.
Sarkozy’s conviction for criminal conspiracy in September stemmed from allegations of receiving funds from Libya for his election campaign, which he denies. His legal team has filed an appeal, awaiting a decision within two months from judges on the validity of his conviction.