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  • 11 hours ago
The rise and fall of Nicolas SarkozyThe Independent/ Camille Chorley
Transcript
00:00Nicolas Sarkozy embraces his wife, Carla Bruni, as he leaves their home to start a five-year prison sentence,
00:08marking a stunning downfall for the former French president.
00:12Let me explain what is a first in French history.
00:16Elected in 2007 and nicknamed Bling Bling and the Hyper President,
00:21Sarkozy dazzled with charisma, glamour and ruthless ambition.
00:25His abrasive style and his focus on wealth cost him his re-election in 2012.
00:32Even in retirement, Sarkozy stayed influential, giving advice to now President Emmanuel Macron.
00:39Earlier this year, the court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy in a scheme that operated from 2005 to 2007
00:48to finance his campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors.
00:55He was acquitted of three other charges, including passive corruption, illegal campaign financing
01:02and concealment of the embezzlement of public funds.
01:06Sarkozy has consistently denied wrongdoing and called the case politically motivated,
01:13saying judges were seeking to humiliate him.
01:15Sarkozy's isolation unit at La Santé prison in Paris features inmates who are housed in single cells
01:23and kept apart during outdoor activities for security reasons.
01:28His conditions are the same as the rest of a prison.
01:32Sarkozy will have access to a television for a monthly fee of 14 euros.
01:38Sarkozy's prison sentence has sparked debate across France, with protests held in Paris.
01:44Sarkozy's prison sentence has sparked debate across France, with protests held in Paris.
01:48Sarkozy's prison sentence won by the
01:53Department of Public Affairs and Public Affairs.
01:56Sarkozy's prison sentence has caused
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