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Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, has been incarcerated at Paris’ La Santé prison after receiving a five-year sentence for plotting to finance his 2007 campaign with Libyan funds. He is appealing and insists he is innocent. Becoming modern France’s first ex-leader behind bars, Sarkozy arrived by police motorcade after a farewell meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. The once tough-on-crime conservative—nicknamed “President Bling-Bling”—remains a polarizing figure, with a career marked by flashy style, hardline stances on immigration and crime, and an enduring marriage to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who was seen embracing him before his transfer.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.