Nicolas Sarkozy Portrays Existence in Jail as ‘Exhausting’ and ‘a Nightmare’
Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy has stated that his period of incarceration has been “exhausting” and a “horrific experience” as he was present via video link at a judicial proceeding regarding his petition to complete his jail term at home.
Court Appearance from Prison
The former leader, dressed in a navy blue suit, was visible on screen from jail on Monday, positioned at a desk with his legal representatives beside him. He informed the judges: “I want to commend all the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this nightmare bearable – because it is a nightmare.”
Context of the Legal Situation
Sarkozy was admitted to La Santé prison in Paris on 21 October, after receiving a half-decade imprisonment for illegal collaboration over a plan to obtain funds for his 2007 presidential election campaign from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
He has challenged the ruling, but the court ruled that because of the “serious nature” of his conviction, he had to be incarcerated while the appeals process proceeded.
Unprecedented Importance
Sarkozy, who was France’s rightwing president between 2007 and 2012, is the first former head of an EU country to serve time in prison, and the initial leader since WWII to go behind bars.
Emotional Testimony
The former president stated to the judges from prison: “I was completely unaware or desire to ask Mr Gaddafi for any kind of financing … I will never confess to something I am innocent of … I never imagined that at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s an challenge that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s extremely challenging. It leaves a mark on any prisoner because it’s exhausting.”
He stated he would not attempt to enter into contact with any accused individuals or testifiers in the case. He declared: “I’m French, I love my country, my family is in France. This situation has made them suffer a lot.”
Defense Lawyers Observations
His legal representative Jean-Michel Darrois, sitting next to him in the remote connection facility, said: “Being in isolation has been extremely difficult for him.” He commented on Sarkozy: “He’s a resilient, robust and courageous man and this detention has caused him great suffering.”
In court, another of Sarkozy’s lawyers, Christophe Ingrain, who had seen him daily, said Sarkozy would be more secure outside jail than within. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming at night and the urgent intervention in a adjacent room when a prisoner injured themselves,” he said.
Current Status
The state prosecutor Damien Brunet requested that Sarkozy’s petition for freedom be granted. The court will announce its decision on Monday afternoon.
Prison Conditions
The former president has been held in solitary confinement for his own safety, in an private room of about 9 sq metres, with his own shower and restroom. Security personnel are stationed nearby to ensure his safety.
Accounts indicated that he had been eating only yoghurt in prison as he was concerned any food might have been contaminated. He had been offered the facilities to prepare his own meals but refused this.
Support from Outside
Sarkozy’s social media account last week shared a recording of piles of letters, postcards and packages it said had been sent to him, including a collage, a sweet treat and a book. “No letter will go without a response,” his account announced. “The end of the story has not yet been determined.”
Personal Belongings
The former leader took into prison a biography of Jesus as well as the classic novel, the famous work in which an innocent man is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge.
Legal Proceedings Details
During the lengthy court case, the state attorney had told the court that Sarkozy engaged in a “corrupt agreement” of dishonesty with one of the worst rulers of the last three decades.
The accused denied wrongdoing and stated he had not been part of a criminal conspiracy to obtain campaign finances from Libya.
He was acquitted of three separate charges of dishonesty, improper handling of state money and unlawful political financing. After the state prosecutor also appealed against these acquittals, Sarkozy will be re-tried on all the accusations next year, including illegal collaboration.
Previous Convictions
Although the claims of a clandestine financial agreement with the North African government formed the most significant legal case Sarkozy had encountered, he had already been convicted in two separate cases and stripped of France’s top honor, the national recognition.
Sarkozy had previously become the initial ex-leader forced to wear an monitoring device after being convicted in a separate case of dishonesty and influence peddling. In that situation, he was given a one-year jail term but was able to serve it with an electronic tag attached to his leg. He wore the tag for three months before being allowed limited freedom.