France Sarkozy enters prison in Paris
France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived for his prison term after being sentenced to five years in prison in the Libya affair. The 70-year-old arrived at La Santé prison in Paris this morning, as seen on television.
21.10.2025, 10:00
SDA
Sarkozy is to be housed in a special wing of the prison for prisoners who require special protection. He may also be placed in an isolated area. He cannot expect preferential treatment.
Sarkozy was found guilty of being part of a criminal organization in the trial concerning alleged election campaign funds from Libya at the end of September. The court ordered provisional enforcement of the sentence. This means that the 70-year-old must go to prison, although he has appealed. Sarkozy had always denied the allegations.
Sarkozy can apply for release subject to conditions
However, due to his age, Sarkozy can apply for conditional release immediately after entering prison in order to serve his sentence outside of prison. A corresponding regulation applies in France for prisoners aged 70 and over.
As was announced before Sarkozy's release, the former head of state was received by President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Friday. The meeting was confirmed by the Élysée Palace on request. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that he would visit Sarkozy in prison.
No evidence of illegal election campaign funds
The Libya affair concerns the allegation that money was illegally paid into Sarkozy's presidential election campaign in 2007 by the leadership of the then Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris criminal court did not see any evidence of this. However, it assumed in its verdict that the conservative and close confidant of Gaddafi had in any case attempted to obtain funds from the Libyan ruler.
Sarkozy cannot expect preferential treatment behind bars. No matter which area of the prison he goes to, the cells there are no better and no worse than anywhere else in the prison. They are between 9 and 12 square meters in size. Like all other prisoners, Sarkozy has a shower in his cell, a fridge and a television. The bed is narrow and there is a small desk.
Sarkozy receives a prisoner ID card, sheets and writing materials
On arrival in prison, Sarkozy has to undergo the same procedure as all other new arrivals, as reported by the BFMTV channel. Fingerprints are taken and a photo is taken; he is given a prisoner ID card with a prisoner number. According to the broadcaster, Sarkozy is also searched like every new inmate, for which he has to undress completely. He is then given toiletries, underwear, sheets and writing materials. Sarkozy has decided to write a book about his time behind bars.
