Ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy heads to jail over Libya funding scandal

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy departed his home on Tuesday to begin serving his jail sentence after being convicted of seeking illegal Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential campaign, AFP reported.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was seen leaving his residence hand-in-hand with his wife, singer Carla Bruni, before being driven away in a car escorted by police motorbikes.

The 69-year-old politician now makes history as the first former head of a European Union nation to serve time in prison.

Sarkozy’s conviction stems from allegations that he received millions of euros in campaign funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi — a scandal that has lingered for years and sparked multiple legal battles.