Former French president Sarkozy begins five-year jail term

AWANI

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy began a five-year jail term in Paris after being convicted of conspiring to raise illegal campaign funds from Libya.

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00:00Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence,

00:06marking the first time a French leader has been jailed since World War II.

00:11The court found Sarkozy and several close aides guilty of conspiring

00:16to secure illegal funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign.

00:21He was, however, cleared of personally receiving or spending any of the money.

00:30Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, has consistently denied any wrongdoings,

00:37saying the case is politically motivated.

00:40In a statement, he described his imprisonment as the punishment of an innocent man,

00:45not a former president, and said he remains confident in his integrity.

00:50On Tuesday morning, Sarkozy left his home in Paris, hand-in-hand with his wife Carla Bruni.

00:56Supporters gathered outside, cheering and chanting his name,

00:59as he was driven to La Sante prison in this city.

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