Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy entered the famous Santé prison in Paris today after being sentenced to five years in prison in the case of the Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.

On September 25, 2025, the Paris Criminal Court convicted Nicolas Sarkozy of criminal association in connection with suspicions of Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with an immediate detention order and provisional execution, meaning he must enter prison even if he appeals. This decision is historic: it is the first time in the modern history of the Fifth Republic that a former president is incarcerated.

This Tuesday morning, a convoy left the former president’s Paris residence to reach the Santé prison in the 14th arrondissement. On this occasion, several dozen supporters gathered in front of his home to express their support. The family, including his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, briefly stopped to greet the crowd before returning inside. The relatives then left, making way for the prison procedure that would follow.

Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to be placed in a specific regime at Santé: an individual cell or in a so-called “vulnerable” unit, designed for politically or sensitive profiled inmates. Specific measures are mentioned: limited access to visitors, isolation for security reasons, and a suitable environment with a library, sports facilities, and supervised communication. The former president, aged 70, may also request parole or sentence adjustment, but no guarantees are given at this stage.

Upon hearing his conviction, Nicolas Sarkozy denounced a decision “of extreme gravity for the rule of law.” He stated: “If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high, I am innocent.” Today, despite doubts and his appeal, he begins his sentence.