Nicolas Sarkozy Characterizes Life in Prison as ‘Gruelling’ and ‘a Nightmare’
Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy has declared that his period of incarceration has been “draining” and a “nightmare” as he appeared via remote connection at a court hearing regarding his application to complete his jail term at home.
Legal Proceeding from Behind Bars
Sarkozy, wearing a dark blue attire, was visible on screen from prison on Monday, seated at a table with his legal representatives beside him. He told the court: “I want to commend all the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this nightmare bearable – because it is a horrific experience.”
Context of the Legal Situation
Sarkozy was admitted to La Santé prison in Paris on 21 October, after being handed a half-decade imprisonment for criminal conspiracy over a plan to secure financing for his election bid from the government of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
He has appealed against the ruling, but the court ruled that because of the “exceptional gravity” of his guilty verdict, he had to go to prison while the legal challenge proceeded.
Unprecedented Significance
Sarkozy, who served as France’s rightwing president between 2007 and 2012, is the initial ex-leader of an EU country to be imprisoned in prison, and the initial leader since WWII to be incarcerated.
Personal Statement
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 not admit to something I am innocent of … I could not have foreseen that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s an challenge that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It has an impact on any prisoner because it’s exhausting.”
He stated he would not attempt to enter into contact with any accused individuals or witnesses in the case. He said: “I’m French, I love my country, my family is in France. This situation has made them suffer a lot.”
Legal Team Observations
His legal representative Jean-Michel Darrois, positioned beside him in the remote connection facility, said: “Being in isolation has been extremely difficult for him.” He said of Sarkozy: “He’s a strong, robust and courageous man and this detention has caused him great suffering.”
In court, another of Sarkozy’s lawyers, Christophe Ingrain, who had visited him every day, asserted Sarkozy would be safer out of prison than within. “He has received threats against his life, has listened to shouts at night and the emergency response in a neighbouring cell when a prisoner self-harmed,” he said.
Present Situation
The state prosecutor Damien Brunet requested that Sarkozy’s request for release be approved. The court will reveal its ruling on Monday afternoon.
Incarceration Details
Sarkozy has been placed in isolation for his own security, in an individual cell of about 9 sq metres, with his own washing facility and restroom. Two bodyguards are occupying a neighbouring cell to ensure his safety.
Accounts suggested that he had been eating only yoghurt in prison as he was concerned any food might have been contaminated. He had been given the opportunity to cook for himself but refused this.
Encouragement from Outside
His online presence last week posted a video of numerous correspondences, cards and packages it said had been delivered to his attention, including a collection, a chocolate bar and a volume. “No correspondence will go without a response,” his account declared. “The final chapter has not yet been written.”
Items in Prison
Sarkozy took into prison a biography of Jesus as well as the classic novel, the famous work in which an innocent man is imprisoned but breaks out to seek retribution.
Court Case Details
During Sarkozy’s three-month trial, the public prosecutor had informed the judges that Sarkozy entered into a “corrupt agreement” of dishonesty with one of the worst rulers of the last 30 years.
Sarkozy maintained his innocence and said he had not been involved in a criminal conspiracy to seek election funding from Libya.
He was acquitted of three separate charges of corruption, improper handling of state money and illegal election campaign funding. After the state prosecutor also challenged these acquittals, Sarkozy will be judged again on all the accusations next year, including illegal collaboration.
Previous Convictions
Although the claims of a secret campaign funding pact with the North African government formed the biggest corruption trial Sarkozy had faced, he had already been convicted in two different proceedings and lost France’s highest distinction, the national recognition.
The former president had previously become the initial ex-leader forced to wear an monitoring device after being found guilty in a different matter of corruption and improper sway. 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.
