Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Prison Memoir Detailing Three Weeks In Custody

Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account in the coming weeks named Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his time spent in custody.

The announcement came just 11 days after the ex-leader gained freedom as his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to secure presidential race money from the regime of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in an extract, implying the memoir centers around his musings from seclusion instead of wider commentary of the strained and struggling French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing in La Santé, where noise is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The racket persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, Sarkozy was present by video link from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing this nightmare tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It affects one every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader of an EU country and the first postwar leader of France to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to go through the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, a plot where a blameless person is imprisoned then breaks out to seek vengeance.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy remained in isolation for his own security in a cell approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison in Paris. Two bodyguards stayed in the next cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted only yoghurts while inside due to concerns any food could have been tampered with. Options were available to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, Christophe Ingrain each day throughout the jail term, informed the court his safety would improve released compared to inside. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells after dark and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

He entered custody in late October following the judiciary imposed a half-decade term on conspiracy charges related to a plan to acquire campaign funds during his election campaign.

He maintains his innocence and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial is scheduled for early next year.