Former French President Sarkozy to enter prison tomorrow

The 5-year prison sentence handed down to former French President Nicolas Sarkozy for forming a criminal organization—in a case where he was tried for allegedly receiving millions of euros in illegal funds from then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during his 2007 election campaign—will begin tomorrow. Although the appeals process for the sentence is ongoing, it has been decided that the execution will be carried out without delay, and Sarkozy is expected to surrender to La Sante Prison in the capital, Paris, tomorrow to begin serving his sentence.

HE WILL FILE FOR PAROLE

For the first time in French history, a former president will enter prison while the appeals process is still underway. While Sarkozy's lawyers have criticized the decision, Sarkozy himself announced that he would "continue the fight." Sarkozy's lawyers will file for parole as soon as the sentence begins. The application is expected to be concluded within approximately two months. It was stated that if the request is denied, Sarkozy may remain in prison until the appeals process is completed.

HE WILL STAY IN A SINGLE-PERSON CELL

It was stated that Sarkozy will be kept in a single-person cell for security reasons and will be taken out for daily exercise alone to prevent contact with other inmates. Sarkozy, who will have the right to meet with his relatives three times a week, will only be able to make phone calls via a landline to pre-registered numbers, will be allowed to keep books in his cell, and will have limited access to the library and sports area within the framework of prison rules.

FRENCH JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES HAD LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION

The French press had alleged in a document published in 2013 that Gaddafi had secretly transferred approximately 50 million euros to Sarkozy's election campaign. Former French President Sarkozy completely denied the accusations in question and argued that they were politically motivated. French judicial authorities launched an official investigation in 2018 and brought charges against Sarkozy, including corruption, illegal campaign financing, and cooperation with a criminal organization. Within the scope of the case, Claude Gueant, the Minister of the Interior during the Sarkozy era, was sentenced to 6 years in prison and a 250 thousand euro fine for passive corruption, forgery, and influence peddling on the grounds that he received 500 thousand euros. Former Minister Brice Hortefeux was sentenced to 2 years in prison and a 50 thousand euro fine for forming a criminal organization. Hortefeux was also given a 5-year ban from public office and deprivation of political/civil rights. French-Lebanese businessman Alexandre Djouhri was sentenced to 6 years in prison for active corruption and influence peddling. Bechir Saleh, the former cabinet director of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, received 5 years in prison and a 4 million euro fine. Saudi businessman Khaled Bugshan was sentenced to 3 years in prison and a 4 million euro fine. French-Djiboutian banker Wahib Nacer was sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 2 million euro fine. Former Budget Minister Eric Woerth was acquitted of all charges.

One of the most important witnesses in the case, Lebanese-born French businessman Ziad Takieddine, died while being held in custody in Lebanon 2 days before the verdict was announced, and the court announced that the trial against Takieddine had been dropped due to his death.