Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Jail Diary Documenting His 20 Days In Custody

Nicolas Sarkozy plans a personal account this autumn called Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling his experience spent in jail.

The announcement was made just 11 days after Sarkozy left prison while his appeal proceeds the court ruling for criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to acquire political financing provided by the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Life Behind Bars: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in an extract, suggesting the account will focus on his musings from seclusion rather than a broader observation of the packed and struggling French prison system.

“Quiet is absent, not present in La Santé, where noise is constant sound,” he adds. “The noise is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is strengthened in prison.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

While appealing for release, Sarkozy was present via screen from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this ordeal tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It has an impact every inmate due to its intensity.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural former head of an EU country and the first postwar leader from France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he intended to spend the period to compose an account.

Books in Prison

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the texts he took into prison: a two-volume biography of Jesus and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail located in the capital. Security personnel occupied a neighbouring cell.

Sources mentioned his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay worried that meals provided might have been spat on. He had facilities to cook for himself but refused this, as per accounts. Unclear remains if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly every day throughout the jail term, told the release hearing he would be safer out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells at night plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison in late October following a Paris court sentenced him to five years in prison on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to obtain campaign funds during his election campaign.

He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial is scheduled for early next year.