🔗 Share this article The Former French President to Pen Jail Diary Documenting Two Dozen Days Behind Bars Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a personal account this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts his experience spent in custody. The announcement was made just 11 days after the ex-leader was released while his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of unlawful coordination connected to efforts to obtain presidential race money provided by the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Time in Custody: Solitary Musings “Inside jail visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in an extract, indicating the book centers around his musings while in isolation instead of wider commentary of the packed and struggling French prison system. “Quiet is absent, which is missing at the prison, where there is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The racket persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is strengthened while incarcerated.” Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal While appealing for release, Sarkozy participated via screen from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this ordeal manageable – as it truly is one.” “I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It affects one on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.” Unprecedented Situation The former president, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure from France to serve time in prison. Prior to imprisonment he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book. Cell Library It is not certain whether he had time to read and critique the volumes he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which an innocent man is imprisoned then breaks out to take revenge. Daily Reality Sarkozy was placed in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in the city. Two bodyguards were stationed in a neighbouring cell. It was stated that he consumed just yogurt while inside due to concerns any food might have been spat on. Options were available to cook for himself but refused this, according to reports. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices. Lawyer’s Statements The legal representative, who saw him regularly daily during the incarceration, informed the court he would be safer released than inside. “There were menacing messages, listened to yells during nighttime and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.” Case Background He entered custody last month after the judiciary gave him a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to secure election financing during his election campaign. He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case set for early next year.