Sarkozy, 70, was convicted of having participated in a criminal organisation in connection with alleged campaign finances from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Gaddafi.

Sarkozy remained defiant until the end, posting on X a statement repeating his claim that he is innocent.

“I will continue to denounce this judicial scandal,” he wrote in a statement.

He said his conviction came after a long investigation that was based on a document the falsification of which has now been established.

Sarkozy was found guilty at the end of September and the court ordered the immediate enforcement of the sentence, in spite of the former president having filed an appeal.

He can apply for conditional release immediately after starting his sentence due to his age.

In France, such a provision applied to inmates aged 70 and older, allowing them to serve their sentence outside prison under certain conditions.

Before Sarkozy’s imprisonment, he was received by President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, the president’s official residence, on Friday, the palace confirmed upon request.

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Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that he would visit Sarkozy in prison.

The Libya affair revolves around allegations that Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign received illegal funds from the Gaddafi regime.

While the Paris criminal court found no evidence of illegal campaign funds, it concluded in its ruling that the conservative politician and close ally of Gaddafi had at least attempted to obtain funds from the Libyan leader.

The former French leader is serving his sentence at La Santé prison in central Paris and is expected to be housed in a special unit for inmates requiring extra protection but will not receive preferential treatment.

He may also be placed in an isolated area.

Regardless of where he is housed in the prison, the cells are all the same, measuring between nine and 12 square metres.

They include a shower, a refrigerator and a television.

The bed is narrow, and there is a small desk.

Upon arrival at the prison, Sarkozy must undergo the same procedures as all new inmates, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

His fingerprints and a photo were taken and he was issued with a prisoner ID and number.

Sarkozy, like all new inmates, has to undergo a strip search, the broadcaster reported.

He was then provided with hygiene items, clothing, bed linen and writing materials.

It is believed that Sarkozy plans to write a book about his time in prison.

Source: Xinhua/NAN

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He made the assertion on Sunday while reacting to the killing of 70 people in Zaroumdareye, a border town between Niger Republic and Mali by militants.

The president described the incident as another clarion call for united action by African leaders against terrorism.

Reacting to the incident on Sunday in Abuja, President Buhari said, “I am profoundly shocked by the large scale death of innocent people at the hands of these callous militants who have no regard for the sanctity of human life.”

According to the president, “We are facing grave security challenges on account of the evil campaign of indiscriminate violence by terrorists in the Sahel and only united action can help us defeat these vicious enemies of humanity.”

He stated that “terrorism has now become like a contagion of evil that can spread  anytime if united action is not taken.”

President Buhari said that “instability in one part of Africa had implications for the security of others.”

He recalled that “the destabilisation of Libya in 2011 is producing domino effects on the security of other African countries including Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and others.”

“The looting of Libyan armouries in the aftermath of Gaddafi’s fall has put dangerous weapons into the hands of terrorists and other criminals who now pose security challenges to other countries,” the president added.

“We are united by common fate and therefore we must act in concert to defeat these evil men who target innocent people.

“Let me use this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy for the government, the people of Niger and the families of the victims,” said President Buhari.

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