Nicolas Sarkozy prison ordeal early release request
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has described his short time in prison as “very hard” and “gruelling” as he seeks early release from incarceration.
Sarkozy began serving a five-year sentence at Paris’s La Santé prison after being convicted of criminal conspiracy in a scheme to fund his 2007 presidential campaign with money from Libya. The court ruled he must start serving his sentence immediately because of the “exceptional gravity” of his offence.
While participating in a hearing via videolink from prison, Sarkozy said that his time behind bars was imposed on him and “leaves a mark on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.” He added that he had “no idea… that at 70 years of age I’d be in prison” and called the experience “an ordeal.”
The appeals court has granted his request to be released from prison pending his appeal trial. He is to serve the remainder of his sentence under strict supervision at home, barred from leaving France and from contacting justice-ministry officials.
Sarkozy maintains his innocence, calling himself a victim of what he frames as political retaliation. He pledged compliance with the terms of his release if granted, while continuing to fight his conviction.
