“An innocent man is being imprisoned”

France

Sarkozy taken to prison

Felix Wilow

Updated 10.38 | Published 09.00

 

Police officers outside the prison in Paris on Tuesday morning. Photo: Aurelien Morissard / AP

Nicolas Sarkozy is found guilty of accepting bribes during an election campaign.

Today, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is being taken to prison.

“It is not a former president of the republic who is being imprisoned today, but an innocent man,” he said in a statement.

Hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni, he left his home on Tuesday morning. There he was greeted by applause from protesters without saying anything, reports Le Parisien.

Now five years in prison await the former president.

There he will be placed in solitary confinement, writes Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin.

“Ensuring the security of a former president in prison, which is unprecedented, in no way affects the independence of the judges, but falls under my duty as head of administration to exercise supervision, with responsibility before parliament.”

 

The ex-president walks hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on his way to prison. Photo: Thibault Camus / AP

Denies to crime

Sarkozy has been convicted of accepting bribes from Libya's then-dictator Muammar Gaddafi during his 2007 election campaign.

He has denied any wrongdoing and calls the verdict a judicial scandal.

“As I am about to cross the walls of La Santé prison, my thoughts go to the French women and men, of all kinds and with all opinions.
I want to tell them, with the unwavering strength that is mine, that it is not a former president of the republic who is being imprisoned today, but an innocent man,” he said in a statement on X.

“Devastating”

Sarkozy further wrote that he feels “a deep sadness for France” and “a thirst for revenge.”

“I have no doubt. The truth will prevail.

But the price that must be paid will have been devastating.” 

Nicolas Sarkozy anses skyldig till att ha tagit emot mutor under en valkampanj.