Imagine going from the top office of France to a prison cell – even if it’s just for 20 days. That’s the story of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who recently surprised many by releasing “Diary of a Prisoner,” a memoir of his brief time behind bars.
Sarkozy, 70, faced a five-year sentence for illegal campaign funding from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. But after just three weeks, he was released under judicial supervision while his appeal continues. Despite his damaged reputation, eager readers queued up to get their hands on an autographed copy of his book.
Inside “Diary of a Prisoner,” Sarkozy describes his initial terror. Arriving at La Santé prison, he was struck by the “absence of any colour,” a world dominated by grey. His cell, he notes, was like a “low-end hotel,” complete with an armored door and bars. Prisoner 320535 found himself alone for 23 hours a day, surrounded by the “threatening atmosphere” of banging bars and a neighbor singing “The Lion King.”
Yet, amidst the discomfort of a rock-hard mattress and unappetizing prison food (he opted for yogurt and cereal bars), Sarkozy found unexpected moments. He watched his beloved Paris St Germain win on cable TV, felt a surprising spiritual connection with the prison chaplain, and prayed. He even had a landline to call his wife, Carla Bruni.
Throughout his memoir, Sarkozy passionately insists on his complete innocence, vowing to fight until his last breath to prove it. Now out of jail but wearing an electronic tag, he awaits the outcome of his lengthy appeal, reminding readers that this “is not a novel,” but his truth. His story is a unique glimpse into the fall and resilience of a former world leader.
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37594613/sarkozy-prison-memoir-hell-soggy-baguettes/
