Former French President Sarkozy starts 5-year prison sentence

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is seen next to his house after a visit of a guest on the eve of the start of his five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy over attempts to raise campaign funds from Libya, in Paris, France, October 20, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) -Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began a five-year sentence on Tuesday for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya, arriving at La Sante prison in Paris in a stunning downfall for a man who led the country between 2007 and 2012.

The former conservative president, 70, left his home for the car journey to the prison, walking hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni and cheered by a crowd of supporters chanting "Nicolas, Nicolas" and singing La Marseillaise national anthem.