STORY: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy left his home in Paris hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni on Tuesday (October 21) morning to go to the capital's La Sante prison to start a prison term.

Sarkozy will be put behind bars on Tuesday, starting a five-year sentence for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya, in a stunning downfall for a leader once known for his swagger and taste for the global spotlight.

He led France between 2007 and 2012 and will become the first former French leader to be jailed since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War Two.

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VIDEO SHOWS: FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT, NICOLAS SARKOZY, LEAVING HOME TO START PRISON SENTENCE

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SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT, NICOLAS SARKOZY, WALKING OUT OF HOUSE WITH WIFE, CARLA BRUNI, SUPPORTERS OFF-CAMERA HEARD SINGING FRENCH NATIONAL ANTHEM AND CHEERING

2. VARIOUS OF SARKOZY AND BRUNI WALKING, SUPPORTERS HEARD CHEERING

3. SARKOZY WAVING TO CROWD AS HE WALKS BY

4. SARKOZY WALKING TOWARDS CAR AS SUPPORTERS CHEER, HUGGING BRUNI, GETTING INTO CAR

5. PEOPLE STANDING AROUND CAR

6. POLICE CONVOY OF SARKOZY LEAVING