Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Jail Diary Detailing His 20 Days In Custody

Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts the period endured behind bars.

The revelation came less than two weeks after Sarkozy gained freedom while he appeals the guilty verdict on charges of illegal collaboration connected to efforts to secure political financing from the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“In prison visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in a preview, suggesting the book will focus on his musings during isolation instead of extensive analysis of the strained and struggling French prison system.

“I forget silence, not present in that facility, where one hears a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is fortified in prison.”

Freedom Plea: Recounting the Hardship

During his plea for freedom, he had appeared remotely from inside the facility, describing his time inside as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, and who helped make this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, set a precedent as past president from the EU and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

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

Cell Library

It is not certain did he manage to read and critique the texts he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, a plot where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned but escapes to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

He remained in isolation for his own security in a room of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in Paris. Guards stayed in an adjacent room.

It was stated that he consumed solely dairy snacks during his stay because he feared prison cuisine might have been spat on. Although he had access for self-catering yet he declined, according to reports. It is uncertain if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings security would be better released than inside. “He has faced death threats, heard shouts at night plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison in late October following a Paris court gave him five years in prison for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to obtain political donations for his presidential bid.

He disputes the charges and is contesting the ruling, and another court case set for early next year.