Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under round-the-clock police protection inside prison after inmates threatened to “avenge Gaddafi” following his conviction for accepting illegal funds from the late Libyan leader.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is under constant police guard after receiving death threats from fellow inmates at Paris’s La Santé prison. Two police officers have reportedly been stationed in the cell next door “to ensure his safety,” following online videos in which prisoners vowed to “avenge Gaddafi.”
Sarkozy, 70, began serving a five-year sentence on Tuesday for conspiring to accept laundered money from the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. A viral video showed inmates shouting insults and mocking “Little Nikola,” while threatening revenge and demanding he “give back the billions.”
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the extra security, calling it “a decision aimed at ensuring his safety.” Éric Ciotti, leader of The Republicans, said it was “completely legitimate” to guarantee the former president’s protection.
Sarkozy’s lawyers described his first night in jail as “frightening,” though they said he remained strong. His wife, Carla Bruni, reportedly spoke to him by phone, as he began his sentence in isolation under tight security.