Sarkozy heads to prison amid supporter rally and family farewell VIDEO

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, walked through the alley of his Paris home on Tuesday, October 21, before heading to La Santé prison to begin serving a sentence for criminal conspiracy in the financing of his 2007 election campaign with Libyan funds. Sarkozy becomes the first modern French president to be imprisoned, as per American media.

Sarkozy has contested both the conviction and a judge’s unusual decision to incarcerate him while his appeal is pending, a move that has captured nationwide attention.

On Tuesday, Sarkozy and Bruni-Sarkozy walked slowly past reporters to join their children and grandchildren outside their home.

He waved to supporters before getting into his car. Hundreds gathered in the upscale Paris neighbourhood, applauding and chanting “Nicolas, Nicolas” while singing the French national anthem. Two French flags displayed messages reading: “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “true France with Nicolas.” Present were Sarkozy’s children — Jean, Pierre, Louis, and Giulia — along with his grandchildren.

🔴 L'ancien président 🇫🇷 Nicolas #Sarkozy a salué ses partisans à la sortie de son domicile. Il est désormais en route vers la prison de la Santé, où il sera incarcéré ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/NvIVketCE8

— FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) October 21, 2025

Parisian resident Michelle Perié, 67, said she attended to show support “because there is anger, injustice.” She added, “He’s not like any other defendant; he’s someone who holds state secrets, he’s someone who has always done his job with his head held high. We don’t understand.”

Last week, centrist President Emmanuel Macron received Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace. “I have always been very clear in my public statements about the independence of the judiciary in my role, but it was normal on a human level to receive one of my predecessors in this context,” Macron said Monday.

Sarkozy’s lawyers confirmed he will be held in solitary confinement for security reasons. Christophe Ingrain told BFM TV that incarceration “strengthens his determination, it strengthens his rage to prove that he is innocent,” adding that Sarkozy plans to write a book about his prison experience. Jean-Michel Darrois, another lawyer, said Sarkozy had “mentally prepared” for isolation, packing a few sweaters due to the cold and earplugs for the noisy environment. “Isolation, like what he’s going to go through, is painful, but he got himself prepared,” Darrois said on France Info.

“I’m not afraid of prison. I’ll hold my head high, including in front of the doors of La Santé. I’ll fight till the end,” Sarkozy told La Tribune Dimanche. He also revealed to Le Figaro that he plans to bring three books — the maximum allowed — including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, alongside 10 family photos.

A Paris judge ruled that Sarkozy would begin his sentence immediately, citing “the seriousness of the disruption to public order caused by the offence.” The 70-year-old former president will only be able to request release to the appeals court after entering prison, with judges having up to two months to process such requests. Sarkozy’s lawyers have stated that a request for release will be filed promptly.

By Tamilla Hasanova