Disgraced former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has walked free from prison today after serving just three weeks of his five-year sentence for corruption involving late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
From Presidential Palace to Prison Cell
The 70-year-old former leader was released from La Santé prison in Paris following an emotional appeal to judges where he described his incarceration as "a nightmare". Sarkozy becomes the first French head of state to be imprisoned since the Second World War, drawing comparisons to Nazi collaborator Marshall Philippe Pétain.
During his court appearance, Sarkozy pleaded for release while maintaining his innocence. "It's hard, it's very hard," he told the court. "I want everyone to be convinced of one thing – I never had the crazy idea of asking Mr Gaddafi for any funding whatsoever. I will never confess to something I didn't do."
Life After Prison: Electronic Tag and Home Confinement
Following his release, Sarkozy will live under strict conditions at his £5 million home with his third wife, former supermodel and pop singer Carla Bruni, 57, and their 14-year-old daughter Giulia. He will be required to wear an electronic tag while authorities monitor his movements.
The Public Prosecutor acknowledged "the extreme seriousness of the offences and the severity of the sentence" but confirmed that French criminal procedure allowed for Sarkozy's early release under specific conditions.
Prison Ordeal and Health Concerns
During his brief incarceration, Sarkozy faced significant challenges including threats from other inmates and health problems. The former president reportedly survived on a diet consisting mainly of yoghurt while his health deteriorated in the high-security facility.
La Santé prison has housed some of France's most notorious criminals, including terrorist Carlos the Jackal and armed robber Jacques Mesrine. Sarkozy described prison staff as showing "exceptional humanity" during what he called an unbearable experience.
The former leader argued that his behaviour should warrant release, stating: "I scrupulously responded to all summonses. I never imagined I would have to wait 70 years to experience prison. This ordeal was imposed upon me – I endured it."
Ongoing Legal Battles and Family Complications
Sarkozy's legal troubles extend beyond this conviction. He faces additional criminal enquiries and has already been convicted of two earlier offences. Meanwhile, his wife Carla Bruni confronts her own legal challenges.
Bruni has been charged with corruption offences as part of an alleged £4 million "Operation Save Sarko" campaign designed to keep her husband out of prison. She faces charges including witness tampering in an organised gang and could receive up to 10 years in prison if found guilty in a separate trial. Like her husband, Bruni denies any wrongdoing.
The Sarkozy case represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in modern French political history, marking the first time a former president has been imprisoned since the collaborationist Vichy government during World War II.
