French ex-president goes to jail for finance campaign conspiracy

Nicolas Sarkozy became the first former French president to be imprisoned after receiving a five-year sentence for allegedly funding his election campaign with money from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

According to BBC News on October 21, Sarkozy continues to protest his innocence in the Libyan money scandal. As he was driven to prison, he posted on social media (X), stating, “I have no doubt. Truth will prevail. But how crushing the price will have been.”

From 2007 to 2012, Sarkozy served as president. He has since appealed against his jail term at La Santé prison.

Earlier this year, in January, when Sarkozy stood trial for his charges, he still maintained his innocence and hoped that the courts would examine the facts objectively. Sarkozy explained, “We want to believe the court will have the courage to examine the facts objectively, without being guided by the nebulous theory that poisoned the investigation.”

During the investigation into the case, Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, confessed that he had personally supervised $5 million into the Sarkozy campaign.

Muammar Gaddafi admitted in a statement that “it’s thanks to us that he reached the presidency. We provided him with the funds that allowed him to win.”

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at La Santé prison, Sarkozy told La Tribune, “I’m not afraid of prison. I’ll keep my head held high, including at the prison gates.”

Two of Sarkozy’s key associates, Brice Hortefeux and Claude Guéant, were also sentenced for their role in the illicit campaign bankrolled by Libya.

Sarkozy has always denied his involvement in the allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was funded by millions of euros in Libyan cash.

Sarkozy mentioned that he will be taking two books with him to prison: The Life of Jesus and The Count of Monte Cristo, which tells the story of a man who was falsely imprisoned and ultimately takes revenge on those who condemned him.

BBC News, Maghrebi.org