Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy describes the ‘greyness and solitude’ of his three-week prison term in a new book, maintaining his innocence ahead of a March appeal.
PARIS: Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has detailed the “greyness and solitude” of his historic three-week prison term in excerpts from a new book.
Sarkozy, 70, became the first president in modern French history to go to jail after his conviction for allowing aides to seek Libyan campaign funds.
He was handed a five-year sentence but was released with restrictions after serving 20 days.
His 216-page book, “Diary of a Prisoner,” is due for release on December 10.
“Grey dominated everything, devoured everything, covered every surface,” he wrote in one passage published by French media.
He added that he would have given anything to watch cars go by from a window.
During his first night, he knelt in prayer after watching a football match.
“It came naturally,” Sarkozy wrote. “I prayed for the strength to bear the cross of this injustice.”
Protected by two security officers, he was confined to his cell for 23 hours a day except for visiting hours.
“It’s often said that you learn at any age. That’s true because I learned a great deal at La Sante prison,” he wrote.
His diet consisted of dairy products, cereal bars, mineral water, apple juice, and sweet treats.
In an interview, he said he wrote most of the book in prison with a ballpoint pen on a small plywood table.
He finished the book after his release on November 10.
Sarkozy remains an influential figure on the right despite his legal problems.
He has always maintained his innocence, with an appeals trial set to begin in March.
