Sarkozy Jailed to Begin Five-Year Term After Libyan-Funding Conviction

Overview

• Nicolas Sarkozy surrendered at La Santé prison in Paris on October 21 and is being held in isolation with solo access to yard and activity rooms, according to prison officials.
• His lawyers have filed an age-based request for conditional release available to inmates over 70, and judges have up to two months to rule.
• The September verdict found he conspired with close aides to seek Libyan money for his 2007 campaign, while not determining he personally received or used the funds.
• President Emmanuel Macron met Sarkozy privately days earlier and publicly underscored judicial independence, as supporters gathered outside the former leader’s home.
• Polling reported majority support for enforcing the sentence before appeal, reflecting a wider shift toward immediate execution of white-collar convictions.