Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy described his imprisonment as a “nightmare” on Monday, November 10th, as prosecutors requested that he be released pending an appeals trial over alleged Libyan campaign funding.
Sarkozy–who led France from 2007 to 2012–was sentenced in September by a lower court to five years in prison. He was found guilty of conspiring to fund his election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, and then entered La Santé prison on October 21st, becoming the first ex-PM in modern history to be incarcerated in France.
Appearing via video call from his cell, the 70-year-old said being in prison is “gruelling,” though he acknowledged that staff has made the situation “bearable.” Prosecutor Damien Brunet asked the court to grant Sarkozy’s release, citing judicial supervision, claiming “the risks of collusion and pressure on witnesses justify the request for release under judicial supervision.”
Sarkozy’s request is being considered in the Paris Appeals Court, which is expected to decide during the day whether he can be freed while awaiting his appeals trial, scheduled for March. Under French law, he can only be kept behind bars if no other way can be found to safeguard evidence, prevent witness tampering, stop him from escaping or reoffending, or to protect him.
Security concerns arose immediately upon his imprisonment. According to officials, Sarkozy received death threats shortly after arriving in La Santé, prompting two VIP Protection Service officers to move into the cell next door for his safety.
His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons attended the hearing, showing support for the former president.
