Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy left his residence on Tuesday, October 21,2025, to begin serving a prison sentence after being convicted of seeking illegal Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential campaign.

Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife, singer Carla Bruni, was seen walking hand-in-hand before departing in a vehicle escorted by police motorbikes.

The 68-year-old, who led France from 2007 to 2012, became the first former head of state from a European Union country to serve time behind bars. His conviction marks a historic moment in French political and judicial history.

Sarkozy has consistently denied wrongdoing and is expected to continue legal appeals. However, his incarceration underscores growing scrutiny of political financing and corruption at the highest levels of power.