Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who began serving his five-year prison sentence yesterday for allegedly soliciting campaign funds from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, reportedly endured a ‘frightening’ first night in prison.

According to tabloid reports and eyewitness accounts, inmates taunted him with insults and jeers, some mocking his height of one meter sixty-five, shouting ‘Little Nicolas’ and preventing him from sleeping.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that two personal security officers from the protection unit have been stationed inside the prison to guard Sarkozy—an unusual move that has drawn criticism from politicians and prison staff.

Sarkozy, aged seventy, who served as France’s president from two thousand seven to two thousand twelve, was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime for allegedly allowing aides to seek campaign financing from Gaddafi’s regime in exchange for improving Libya’s global standing.

While no direct evidence of transferred funds was found, the court ruled that he enabled the attempt.

Sarkozy strongly denies the charges, calling the case a political persecution.

With his imprisonment, Sarkozy became the first former president in modern French history—and the first former head of state of any European Union nation—to be incarcerated.

His lawyers have filed an appeal and requested provisional release pending a decision expected within three to four weeks.

Sarkozy entered La Santé Prison in Paris at nine forty a.m. local time.

Videos circulating online reportedly show inmates shouting ‘Welcome, Sarko!’ before hurling insults about his conviction and stature.

One prisoner was filmed threatening him, saying, ‘He’s alone in his cell.

It’s going to be bad for him.’ Another voice is heard yelling, ‘We know everything, Sarko.

Bring back the billions!’ Some inmates allegedly tried to keep him awake throughout the night.

Because Sarkozy, as former interior minister, was known for his tough-on-crime policies and was nicknamed ‘the top cop,’ his imprisonment poses security risks.

The two personal guards assigned to him are stationed in a nearby cell and remain by his side around the clock.

The deployment of these guards sparked anger among prison unions, who said it was unnecessary and disruptive.

‘We are highly trained professionals; we don’t need police assistance,’ one senior guard said.

‘Sarkozy is perfectly secure in his cell.’ Interior Minister Nuñez defended the measure, saying it was his duty to ensure the safety of high-ranking officials.

Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, reportedly spoke with him by phone, and one of his attorneys, Jean-Michel Darrois, confirmed visiting him: ‘I saw him in the visitors’ room.

He remains strong, dynamic, and combative—the man everyone knows.’

Sarkozy is held in an isolated wing of the Paris prison, in a nine-square-meter cell equipped with a bed, shower, table, landline, and television.

He is allowed a daily walk in a small yard and may use one of three gyms or the library.

French media reported that he brought warm clothes, earplugs, ten family photos, and several books, including ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ by Alexandre Dumas—a novel about a man who escapes prison to seek revenge.

The five-year sentence followed his conviction for conspiracy to commit a crime related to alleged efforts by close aides to secure campaign funding from Libya for his two thousand seven presidential run.

The Paris court acquitted him of other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing, but ruled that the conspiracy charge alone warranted imprisonment.

The decision shocked France for its severity.

Prosecutors claimed that as interior minister in two thousand five, Sarkozy discussed with Gaddafi an agreement for campaign support in exchange for French assistance in ending Libya’s international isolation.

He went on to win the presidency in two thousand seven, serving until his defeat by Socialist candidate François Hollande in two thousand twelve.

In her verdict last September, the judge stated that while there was no proof Sarkozy personally arranged the deal or received funds, he was guilty of allowing close aides to pursue Libyan contacts for campaign money.

His former chief of staff Claude Guéant and ex-interior minister Brice Hortefeux were also convicted.

Last month, leaving the courtroom, Sarkozy called the ruling ‘a disgrace’ and vowed to appeal: ‘What happened today is extremely serious for the rule of law in France,’ he said.

‘This decision undermines confidence in the justice system.

If they want to see me sleep in prison, I’ll sleep in prison—but with my head held high.’ He insisted on his innocence and declared, ‘I will fight until the end to prove it.’