La Santé Prison Witnesses Tension After Nicolas Sarkozy's Arrival .. Threat Videos Spread
In a historical precedent, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy became the first president in France to be imprisoned, as he began serving a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of conspiring to accept money from the late Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.
* Access to La Santé Prison
Sarkozy (70 years old) arrived at La Santé Prison in Paris, known for its strict security and history of holding famous figures, where he was arrested amid unprecedented tension inside the prison.
He spent his first night in a solitary confinement cell measuring 11 square meters, which included a bed fixed to the floor, a small desk, a shower, and a toilet, with the option to use a television, a refrigerator, and a cooking hot plate, in addition to his right to three family visits per week through a private entrance.
* A Difficult Night Amid Threats
However, Sarkozy's first night was not peaceful; a circulating video on social media captured the sounds of inmates shouting and hurling insults and threats at him, targeting his height of just 170 cm, and threatening revenge on behalf of Gaddafi.
The footage showed attempts by inmates to keep him awake all night, prompting the French police to investigate and detain three inmates for questioning, in addition to confiscating two mobile phones during a search operation.
* Strict Protective Measures
The French Ministry of the Interior was informed of the incident, and it issued a decision to assign police officers from the Important Persons Protection Unit (SDLP) to guard Sarkozy around the clock in his adjacent cell, ensuring his safety amid ongoing threats.
* Communication with Family and Reading Books
Sarkozy's lawyers confirmed that his wife Carla Bruni contacted him via a mobile phone inside the prison, explaining that his night was "terrifying," but he appeared strong and determined, bringing with him two books to read: "The Count of Monte Cristo" about revenge, and "The Life of Jesus Christ" about resurrection.
* Sarkozy's Situation Inside the Prison
According to statements from prison officials, Sarkozy does not receive preferential treatment, but he is held in an isolated section to ensure his safety, with only one hour allocated for walking in a small yard surrounded by barbed wire, accompanied by three guards.
* Request for Parole
Under these difficult circumstances, his lawyers submitted a request for parole, and the court is expected to consider the request within two months, while Sarkozy may remain in prison until his appeal trial scheduled for 2026.
* Information About La Santé Prison
It is worth noting that La Santé Prison, which opened in 1867 and is located in the eastern Montparnasse district of the French capital, is the last prison within the walls of Paris and has a long history of holding many famous figures.
