A lawyer from France questioned whether Sarkozy would serve a full prison term.

On October 21, French lawyer Philippe De Vel, in an interview with Izvestia, said that he doubted that the convicted ex-President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, would serve a full prison term of five years.

"I think he won't serve his five years, the full five years, for many reasons. First, he is appealing the court's decision, and a new appeal will be filed in a few months or maybe a year. So he will be tried another time, and perhaps the court of appeal will decide whether to reduce the prison sentence, cancel the prison sentence, or maybe we will confirm him," De Vel said.

He also pointed out the old age of the politician, because of which he may demand a reduction in the conditions of detention. In addition, the lawyer noted that the prison term would be very difficult and humiliating for Sarkozy. De Vel also stressed that Sarkozy was the first convicted president in the history of the French Republic.

"But I don't think [French President Emmanuel] is behind this." Macron. But Macron should be careful, because I do not know what he has in his pocket," he added.

Presidential term: Sarkozy's sentence intensifies the political crisis in France

The former head of state was sentenced to five years in the "Libyan case", but acquitted of the most serious charges.

On the same day, Sarkozy arrived at the Sante prison in Paris, where he will serve a five-year sentence in the case of Libyan financing of his 2007 election campaign. Less than an hour before his arrival, the ex-president posted on his social media page X (ex. Twitter) statement. In it, he stressed that "an innocent man is locked up in prison," and also promised his supporters that "the truth will prevail."

Le Figaro newspaper said on October 20 that Macron had met with Sarkozy before his imprisonment. According to the newspaper, the meeting between the current president of France and the former head of state lasted about an hour. During the conversation, Macron expressed support for Sarkozy, although he has not yet spoken publicly about the ex-president's case.

Before that, on October 18, it was reported that Sarkozy would serve his sentence in solitary confinement. On September 25, a Paris court sentenced the former French president to five years in prison in the case of illegal Libyan financing of his election campaign.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.