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The ex-president of France plans a book this autumn titled Notes from a Cell, chronicling his experience spent in jail.

The revelation came shortly after the ex-leader was released while he appeals his conviction related to unlawful coordination in a case to secure political financing from the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Prison Experience: Solitary Musings

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he reflects in one passage, indicating the book is more about his reflections during isolation instead of extensive analysis of the overcrowded and troubled French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, not present at the prison, where noise is constant sound,” he continues. “The noise is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is strengthened in prison.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader participated via screen from his cell, describing his time inside as draining. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, showing great humanity, easing this difficult experience tolerable – as it truly is one.”

“It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It affects one all who experience it due to its intensity.”

Historical Context

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, became the inaugural past president from the EU and the first postwar leader of France to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Reading Material

It is not certain did he manage to go through the volumes he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, in which a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail but escapes to take revenge.

Daily Reality

The former leader was held secluded for his own security in a space of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in the city. Two bodyguards occupied the next cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay because he feared meals provided may have been contaminated. Although he had access for self-catering yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client daily during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve outside jail than inside. “There were death threats, listened to yells at night plus rapid actions in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Case Background

His incarceration began last month following a French court sentenced him to a half-decade term on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to secure political donations for his presidential bid.

He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial is scheduled for the coming spring.