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Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a personal account next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling the period endured behind bars.

The announcement emerged shortly following Sarkozy was released while he contests the court ruling related to criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to secure political financing linked to the government of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“In prison one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he writes in one passage, indicating the account will focus on his musings while in solitary confinement rather than wider commentary regarding the strained and crisis-hit jail system in France.

“I forget silence, not present in that facility, where there is a lot to hear,” he continues. “The racket unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world grows stronger behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, Sarkozy had appeared remotely from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this difficult experience manageable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It has an impact all who experience it due to its intensity.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, who led the nation for a five-year term, was the first former head of an EU country and the first postwar leader of France to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he declared he would use his time for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It remains unclear did he manage to read and critique the three books he had in his cell: a two-volume biography of Jesus and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, where an innocent man is sentenced to jail later flees to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

Sarkozy was placed in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a space of about nine sq metres including private facilities at the correctional facility in Paris. Two bodyguards stayed in the next cell.

It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt while inside because he feared meals provided might have been spat on. He had facilities to prepare his own meals but refused this, as per accounts. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain daily during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve out of prison rather than in custody. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming at night and the urgent intervention next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison in late October after a French court imposed a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to a plan to acquire campaign funds during his election campaign.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and a fresh trial set for early next year.