Sarkozy Greeted with Threats of Revenge for Gaddafi in Prison

Three inmates at Paris's Santé prison have been placed under special surveillance after they mocked former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The latter had arrived at the prison to serve his five-year sentence on charges of misusing funds received from Libya for his 2007 election campaign.

In videos that have appeared on the internet, other inmates can be heard laughing and shouting: "Oh, Sarko, wake up!" and "You killed Gaddafi." In another video, one of the inmates threatens that "hard times are ahead" for Sarkozy and that they "will avenge Gaddafi."

According to the Paris prosecutor's office, a search was conducted in the prison, as a result of which two mobile phones were confiscated. French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin stated that the videos testify to "the danger present for President Nicolas Sarkozy" and that it is necessary to pay special attention to the conditions of his detention. According to him, the three inmates questioned in connection with the incident will stand trial: they will either remain in solitary confinement or be transferred to another prison.

Sarkozy, who is provided with round-the-clock police protection, has appealed the verdict. On his way to prison, he made a post on social media, calling himself an "innocent man" and promising to continue the fight against the judicial scandal. He announced that he would take three books with him to prison, including Alexandre Dumas' novel "The Count of Monte Cristo."