Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has become the first modern French head of state to begin a prison sentence and notably, he is being guarded inside prison by two police officers.
On 25 September 2025 a Paris court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy linked to the 2007 presidential campaign, which prosecutors argued was financed in part through funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Sarkozy was sentenced to five years behind bars, with the court emphasising the “exceptional gravity” of the offence and ordering immediate incarceration despite his appeal.
On 21 October 2025, the 70-year-old politician arrived at Paris’s La Santé Prison to begin his term. He held hands with his wife, singer-model Carla Bruni, as supporters gathered outside his home.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that due to perceived threats, two police officers from the VIP protection unit will be stationed in an adjacent cell inside La Santé for Sarkozy’s safety.
“This arrangement has indeed been maintained while he is in detention,” Nunez said.
The detail drew criticism from prison staff unions who felt the presence of external officers undermined the regular prison system.
Prison sources indicate Sarkozy will be housed in La Santé’s isolation unit a single cell approximately nine square metres (95 sq ft) and will have limited contact with other inmates.
Sarkozy’s incarceration marks a political milestone: he is the first former French president in the modern era to serve time in prison for acts committed while holding office.
The case centres on alleged covert negotiations in 2005–2007 with Libyan intermediaries and the misuse of funds in exchange for diplomatic favours.
The verdict reinforces that even high-ranking officials may be held accountable.
For France’s conservative camp, the verdict is a blow; for anti-corruption advocates, it is a victory for institutional integrity.
The Libyan connection underscores global concerns over foreign interference in democratic processes.
Will the special security arrangement (bodyguards in prison) raise questions about equality before the law and prison system credibility?
How will the French public react if the early release request is granted?
To what extent will the appeal process and potential sentence reduction affect perceptions of justice and accountability?
