[Global Times special correspondent in France Dong Ming] According to a report by the French News Network on the 21st, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was jailed on the same day and was held in a prison in Paris. Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for the "Libya Political Contributions Case." Although he has appealed, he will still serve his sentence during the appeal. Sarkozy became the first former EU head of state to be jailed.
At about 9 a.m. local time on the 21st, Sarkozy left the house accompanied by his wife, Bruni, and waved his hands and greetings with the crowd of supporters who came to support him before boarding the car. At the time of his arrival on the same day, Sarkozy said on social media: “The detainee is not the former president, but an innocent person.” Sarkozy was the first former president in the Fifth Republic to be imprisoned, but he has always insisted on his innocence and disobedience, and in an interview with Sunday Forum last week said: “I am not afraid to be imprisoned.
According to French media reports, Sarkozy, 70, enjoys solitary confinement in Lasante Prison. The cell area is about 9-12 square meters. It can have a single bed, desk, shower and toilet, and can also carry a small number of personal daily necessities and books. In addition, Sarkozy can spend one hour outside his cell alone every day, talk to registered numbers, and enjoy family visits several times a week. Sarkozy said in an interview earlier that he would spend his prison time writing, and compared himself to the famous wrongdoers in French history and literature: Dreyfus and "Count of Monte Cristo" Dantes.
Two of Sarkozy's lawyers told the media that they had submitted a parole application and the court was expected to rule in about a month. Current President Macron refused to comment on Sarkozy's imprisonment on the 21st."In my position, I should not comment or criticize judicial decisions. It is normal that the image of the former president of the Republic being imprisoned will trigger comments. I think we should distinguish between emotion, respect for the individual and the normal functioning of justice." Last Friday, Macron privately invited Sarkozy to meet at the Elysee Palace. French Justice Minister Darmanin also said that he would meet Sarkozy in prison, a statement that was criticized by the judges 'union as "confusing the identities of friends and officials in charge."