Sarkozy thus becomes the first former French president in living memory to be arrested and the first post-war leader to serve an effective prison sentence. The former president, who was in office between 2007 and 2012, maintains his innocence and rejects all accusations.
“I’m not afraid of prison. I will keep my head high, including in front of the doors of La Santé. I will fight until the end”he told the newspaper La Tribune Sunday. According to the same diary, Sarkozy took with him a prison bag with clothes and ten family photographs.
Family support and demonstrations
One of the sons of SarkozyLouis Sarkozy, called for a demonstration in support of his father for this Tuesday in the luxury neighborhood where the former president lives with his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
Carla Bruni — former supermodel and singer — has shared family photographs and messages of support on social media since her husband’s conviction.
Unprecedented decision by French justice
The Paris judge ruled last month that Sarkozy should serve the sentence immediately, without waiting for the appealjustifying the measure by the “seriousness of the disturbance to public order caused by the infraction”.
La Santé: a prison with history
Located in Paris, the prison of Health is known for having received some of the most famous prisoners since the 19th century, including the Captain Alfred Dreyfusunjustly convicted of treason for being Jewish, and the Venezuelan militant Carlos the Jackalresponsible for several attacks on French soil.
Nicolas Sarkozy must be placed in a special wing of the prison, in one of the 15 nine-square-meter cells in the solitary confinement unit. In this way, the former president will avoid any contact with other inmates, ensuring personal safety and preventing any unauthorized photography taken using cell phones.