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The ex-president of France is preparing a personal account in the coming weeks titled Notes from a Cell, chronicling the period endured in jail.

The revelation emerged shortly following the former president was released as he appeals the court ruling on charges of unlawful coordination connected to efforts to secure election campaign funds provided by the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he writes in one passage, implying the book is more about his reflections from isolation as opposed to extensive analysis on the overcrowded and struggling French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where there is endless commotion,” he continues. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is fortified while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Describing the Ordeal

At his release request hearing, he had appeared by video link from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It has an impact all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader from the EU and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Prior to imprisonment he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail later flees to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

Sarkozy remained in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in Paris. Guards were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten only yoghurts in prison due to concerns any food might have been spat on. He had facilities to prepare his own meals but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client each day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail compared to inside. “There were menacing messages, listened to yells after dark plus rapid actions in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison in late October when a French court sentenced him to a half-decade term for illegal collaboration related to a plan to obtain political donations for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial planned for the coming spring.