The former French president Describes Existence in Prison as ‘Gruelling’ and ‘an Ordeal’
The former French president has stated that his period of incarceration has been “draining” and an “ordeal” as he was present via video link at a court hearing regarding his application to complete his jail term at home.
Court Appearance from Behind Bars
Sarkozy, dressed in a dark blue attire, appeared on camera from jail on Monday, positioned at a desk with his lawyers beside him. He told the court: “I want to acknowledge all the prison staff, who are remarkably compassionate, and who have made this nightmare bearable – because it is a horrific experience.”
Background of the Legal Situation
Sarkozy was admitted to the correctional facility in Paris on 21 October, after receiving a five-year jail sentence for illegal collaboration over a plan to obtain funds for his election bid from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
He has challenged the verdict, but judges ruled that because of the “exceptional gravity” of his guilty verdict, he had to be incarcerated while the legal challenge proceeded.
Unprecedented Importance
The former leader, who was France’s conservative leader 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 go behind bars.
Emotional Testimony
The former president told the court from prison: “I never had any idea or intention 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 ordeal that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, it’s extremely challenging. It leaves a mark on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.”
He said he would not attempt to enter into contact with any defendants or witnesses in the case. He said: “I’m French, I am patriotic, my family is in France. This situation has made them suffer a lot.”
Defense Lawyers Observations
His legal representative Jean-Michel Darrois, positioned beside him in the remote connection facility, stated: “Being in solitary confinement has been very hard for him.” He said of Sarkozy: “He’s a resilient, robust and brave man and this imprisonment has caused him great suffering.”
In court, a different legal representative, Christophe Ingrain, who had visited him every day, said 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 asked that Sarkozy’s petition for freedom be granted. The court will reveal its ruling on Monday afternoon.
Prison Conditions
Sarkozy has been placed in isolation for his own security, in an private room of about 97 square feet, with his own washing facility and toilet. Two bodyguards are stationed nearby to protect him.
Accounts suggested that he had been eating only yoghurt in prison as he feared any meal might have been tampered with. He had been offered the facilities to prepare his own meals but refused this.
Support from Outside
Sarkozy’s social media account last week shared a video of numerous correspondences, cards and packages it claimed had been delivered to his attention, including a collage, a sweet treat and a volume. “No correspondence will go without a response,” his account announced. “The final chapter has not yet been written.”
Personal Belongings
The former leader brought with him a life story of Christ as well as the classic novel, the famous work in which an innocent man is imprisoned but escapes to seek retribution.
Legal Proceedings Particulars
During Sarkozy’s three-month trial, the public prosecutor had told the court that Sarkozy engaged in a “Faustian pact of corruption with one of the most unspeakable dictators of the last 30 years.
Sarkozy maintained his innocence and stated he had not been part of a illegal scheme to seek election funding from Libya.
He was found not guilty of three separate charges of corruption, improper handling of state money and unlawful political financing. After the state prosecutor also challenged these acquittals, Sarkozy will be judged again on all the accusations next year, including criminal conspiracy.
Prior Legal Issues
Although the allegations of a secret campaign funding pact with the North African government formed the biggest corruption trial Sarkozy had encountered, he had already been found guilty in two separate cases and stripped of France’s highest distinction, the national recognition.
Sarkozy had previously become the first former French head of state forced to wear an monitoring device after being convicted in a different matter of corruption and influence peddling. In that case, he was given a one-year jail term but was able to complete it with an ankle monitor attached to his leg. He wore the tag for a quarter year before being granted conditional release.
