His new one, “Diary of a Prisoner”, was released today in and reveals how the former president experienced his 20 days in La Sade prison after being convicted of illegally financing his 2007 election campaign with money that allegedly came from Libya.
In the 216 pages of his book, published by the Fayard house, by the famous far-right publisher Vincent Bolloret, he describes a “gray” and “violent” environment, insisting at the same time that he is innocent, and despite the fact that he was kept in virtual isolation for security reasons, he notes that the conditions in the prison were “harsh”.
Stories from prison
Sarkozy writes that his cell reminded him of a low-quality hotel room, with an uncomfortable mattress, a plastic pillow and a shower with minimal water pressure that stopped quickly, as if operating on a timer.
On the first day, he writes that upon opening the window, he saw a prisoner incessantly banging on the bars with some metal object, as he states: “The atmosphere was threatening. Welcome to hell.”
He maintains that he followed a strict daily routine (washing, shaving, dressing and exercising in a small hallway), while revealing that he did not eat the prison food which was essentially small plastic portions and a slime-like baguette.
He insists that he is innocent and makes political criticism
The former president continues to profess his innocence and is determined to continue the fight to prove it. In the book, the former president of the country also makes references to the country’s political life, arguing that his party, the Republicans, should open up to far-right voters, while also revealing that he had telephone contact from prison with Marine Le Pen. Regarding the French far-right, he maintains that the party is not a threat to democracy, despite the fact that several of its members are “problematic”.
Sarkozy also refers to his relationship with Emmanuel Macron, whom he thanks for warning him of potential dangers in La Sade and offering him a transfer — an offer he rejected. Instead of switching, two police officers were placed in the adjacent cell for constant surveillance. According to Sarkozy, his relations with Macron later soured when the president did not intervene to prevent the removal of the Legion of Honor.
