Nicolas Sarkozy: Former French president arrives at jail to start out five-year sentence

[ad_1] Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy entered a jail in Paris on Tuesday on the primary day of a five-year sentence, marking the primary time a former chief of contemporary France has hung out behind bars.

Sarkozy was pushed to the jail advanced on Tuesday morning, waving to his supporters as he left his home.

The automobile driving him was surrounded by dozens of police motorbikes and autos, making its method to La Santé Prison in southern Paris.

Sarkozy was sentenced to 5 years in jail for felony conspiracy final month, for his position in a scheme to finance his 2007 presidential campaign with funds from Libya in change for diplomatic favors.

The previous president, who left workplace in 2012, has appealed his conviction however within the meantime is anticipated to occupy a cell both in solitary confinement or within the so-called “VIP wing” of La Santé jail advanced.

That wing is normally reserved for prisoners who're thought-about unsuitable to be saved among the many jail’s common inhabitants, normally out of fears for his or her security.

They might be politicians, former law enforcement officials, members of far-right organizations or these tied to Islamist terror teams, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported.

In a statement posted to X shortly after the automobile carrying him set off for jail, Sarkozy harassed that he's an “harmless man.”

“As I put together to step contained in the partitions of La Santé jail, my ideas exit to the French folks of all walks of life and opinions,” he stated.

“I wish to inform them with my unwavering power that it’s not a former president of the Republic being locked up this morning, it’s an harmless man,” he continued.

The previous chief stated he'll “proceed to denounce this judicial scandal” however added that he's “to not be pitied as a result of my spouse and kids are by my facet, and my buddies are numerous.”

On Tuesday morning, nevertheless, Sarkozy stated he felt “a deep sorrow for France, which finds itself humiliated by the expression of a vengeance that has taken hatred to an unprecedented stage.”

Sarkozy’s authorized workforce has requested that he's granted an early launch from jail, Christophe Ingrain, one of many legal professionals, informed BFMTV Tuesday morning. The courtroom has two months to resolve whether or not or to not grant this request.