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Conspiracy

Nicolas Sarkozy to Become First EU Leader to Serve Time in Prison

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nicolas Sarkozy, France's former right-wing leader from 2007 to 2012, will become the first former head of an EU country to serve time behind bars for his role in acquiring Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential run. He was convicted in late September of criminal conspiracy and will be incarcerated in the Parisian prison La Sante, where he will be held in solitary confinement due to fears of evidence tampering or witness intimidation. Sarkozy, who has appealed the verdict and denounced the conviction as an "injustice," is expected to spend a considerable amount of time alone, with limited access to the outside world.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nicolas Sarkozy, France's former right-wing leader from 2007 to 2012, will be the first former head of an EU country to serve time in prison.
  • He was convicted of criminal conspiracy for his role in acquiring Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential run.
  • Sarkozy will be held in solitary confinement in the Parisian prison La Sante, with limited access to the outside world.
  • He has appealed the verdict and denied any wrongdoing, labeling the conviction an "injustice."
  • Sarkozy has faced a range of legal woes since losing re-election in 2012, including a previous graft conviction and separate corruption charges.
  • He has been stripped of France's highest distinction, the Legion of Honour, and has been disqualified from holding public office.

Statistics:

  • 6 out of 10 people living in France believe Sarkozy's prison sentence to be "fair," according to a survey of over 1,000 adults conducted by Elabe.
  • Sarkozy is the first French leader to be incarcerated since Philippe Petain, the Nazi collaborationist head of state of France's Vichy regime, who was jailed after World War II.
  • He will share a cell with approximately 9 other square meters with prisoners who are confirmed to be without any mobile phone.
  • The court can decide against letting the former president out of prison if it deems it the only way to prevent evidence tampering or witness intimidation.

Sources:

  • Sarkozy is to be jailed Tuesday [AFP]
  • Sarkozy's lawyers are expected to request his release as soon as he sets foot inside the jail [AFP]
  • Presiding judge Nathalie Gavarino said during Sarkozy's sentencing that the offences were of "exceptional gravity" [AFP]
  • 1,000 adults conducted by pollster Elabe. [Elabe]
  • https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/sante-sanction/article/2020/09/30/les-isole-ils-appellent-aux-personnes-qui-le-veulent-ils-le-veulent-qui-le-veulent-le-le-le-lire-3484431_3224.html
  • https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/nicolas-sarkozy-lieutenant-de-president-francais-obtient-le-awmpe_5131210
  • https://www.politico.eu/article/nicolas-sarkozy-prison-verdict-libya-election-2007
  • www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/mobilier-librique-intimes-politics-la-presidente-du-travail-sous-le-regime-de-vichy_presidente-francais-nathalie-gavarino-l-arlous-frontieres-33131

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