France’s Former President Nicolas Sarkozy to Be Jailed Over Libyan Funding Case

PARIS: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to be incarcerated on Tuesday after being convicted of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential campaign, becoming the first former head of an EU country to serve prison time.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was convicted on 25 September for his role in a scheme involving the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Prosecutors argued that Sarkozy’s aides arranged illegal campaign funding from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favours.

The 68-year-old politician, who has appealed the verdict and described it as an "injustice", is to be held in La Santé prison in Paris. Sources say he will likely be placed in solitary confinement, in a nine-square-metre cell, to prevent interactions with other inmates and protect his safety.

Presiding judge Nathalie Gavarino called the offences of “exceptional gravity” and ordered his incarceration regardless of the appeal. Sarkozy’s legal team is expected to request his release immediately upon entry, though the appeal court has up to two months to rule on the matter.

While Sarkozy has been acquitted of several related charges, including embezzlement and passive corruption, the conspiracy conviction marks a historic moment in French political history. He had previously received a graft sentence in another case, serving time under house arrest with an ankle monitor.

The former president’s imprisonment would make him the first French leader jailed since Philippe Pétain, who was convicted after World War II for collaboration with Nazi Germany.

Sarkozy still retains support among segments of the French right, despite having been stripped of the Legion of Honour. His son, Louis Sarkozy, has called on supporters to rally outside his father’s residence on Tuesday morning.

A recent poll by Elabe found that 60% of the French public believe the prison sentence is fair.