Former French President Sarkozy Begins Five-Year Prison Sentence for Corruption

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving a five-year prison sentence at La Santé prison in Paris following his conviction for conspiracy and illegal campaign funding linked to Libya's Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, is the first former French president to be jailed since World War II and the first European Union leader to be imprisoned for corruption. He was taken to a specially isolated wing designed for vulnerable inmates and will have limited privileges such as solitary yard time and access to an activities room. Despite his conviction, Sarkozy maintains his innocence, calling the case politically motivated, and has appealed the sentence, which allows for possible conditional release due to his age. His family and supporters gathered outside the prison to show solidarity, with his sons urging for messages of love. This marks a historic moment in French politics, emphasizing the judiciary's stance on corruption at the highest levels of government.