Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy begun serving a prison sentence in Paris on Tuesday (21 October) – the first time a leader of the French Fifth Republic has been jailed. The 70-year-old, who swept to power in 2007 with a reputation for glamour and ruthless ambition, was convicted last month for his role in a conspiracy to illegally raise campaign funds from Libya. Sarkozy has consistently denied wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated, and has lodged an appeal. He will be held in a secure isolation unit at La Santé prison, with a small cell, private shower, and paid access to television.

Former French president set to start five-year sentence for scheme to obtain campaign funds from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime

Il legale: “Non c’è giustificazione nemmeno per un’ora di detenzione”