Sarkozy, 70, became the first modern French head of state to be imprisoned. He was seen leaving his home hand in hand with his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, before entering a police vehicle that took him to La Santé prison in the French capital.
Sarkozy issued a statement on social media before his transfer, saying that an innocent person was being imprisoned.
According to AP, his legal team immediately filed a request for release following his detention.
The former president was convicted last month for participating in a scheme that allegedly funneled money from Libya’s regime, then led by Muammar Gaddafi, into his 2007 election campaign. He continues to deny the charges and has appealed the ruling, while also contesting the judge’s decision to imprison him pending that appeal.
Sarkozy’s journey from the Élysée Palace to the infamous La Santé prison has drawn widespread attention in France. Before leaving home, he was joined by his children and grandchildren and waved to hundreds of supporters gathered outside his residence in an upscale Paris neighborhood. Many in the crowd chanted his name, sang the French national anthem, and displayed flags bearing messages such as “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “True France with Nicolas.”
Several members of his family, including his sons Jean, Pierre, and Louis, his daughter Giulia, and his grandchildren, were present. One Paris resident told AP she came to show support, calling Sarkozy a man who had always served with dignity and expressing frustration over what she described as “injustice.”
President Emmanuel Macron hosted Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace last week. Macron said it was appropriate, on a human level, to receive one of his predecessors, while emphasizing the independence of the judiciary.
Sarkozy’s lawyers told French media that he will be held in solitary confinement for security reasons. Lawyer Christophe Ingrain said the experience had only strengthened his client’s determination to prove his innocence and revealed that Sarkozy plans to write a book about his time in prison. Another member of his legal team, Jean-Michel Darrois, told France Info that Sarkozy had mentally prepared himself for isolation, packing warm sweaters and earplugs to cope with the conditions.
Sarkozy had told La Tribune Dimanche newspaper he was unafraid of imprisonment and intended to face it “with his head held high.” He also told Le Figaro that he planned to bring three books, including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, the story of a man who escapes wrongful imprisonment to seek revenge.
A Paris judge ruled that Sarkozy must begin serving his sentence immediately, citing the seriousness of the offense and its impact on public trust. Under the decision, Sarkozy can only request conditional release after entering prison, and the appeals court will have up to two months to review his petition.
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