Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Prison Memoir Chronicling His 20 Days In Custody

Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a book next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his time served in custody.

This news came just 11 days following Sarkozy gained freedom as he appeals the guilty verdict related to criminal conspiracy in a case to secure presidential race money provided by the regime of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections

“In prison one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he notes in a preview, implying the memoir will focus on his musings while in isolation instead of a broader observation of the packed and struggling French prison system.

“I forget silence, which is missing at the prison, where one hears constant sound,” he states. “The racket persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is strengthened behind bars.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy was present by video link from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s a hardship I must endure. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It affects one on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he intended to spend the period to write a book.

Reading Material

It remains unclear did he manage to read and critique the texts he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work The Count of Monte Cristo, where an innocent man is sentenced to jail then breaks out to exact retribution.

Life in Confinement

The former leader was held in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a room roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks in prison worried that any food could have been tampered with. Although he had access to prepare his own meals but refused this, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

His attorney, who saw him regularly every day while he was in prison, told the release hearing he would be safer released rather than in custody. “He received menacing messages, has heard screaming during nighttime and the urgent intervention next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Charges and Sentence

His incarceration began in late October following the judiciary gave him a half-decade term for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to secure election financing during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case planned for next spring.