"Sarkozy told the court from prison: I never had any idea or intention to ask Mr Gaddafi for any kind of financing I will never confess to something I didn't do I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I'd be in prison. It's an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I confess it's hard, it's very hard. It leaves a mark on any prisoner because it's gruelling."
"I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this nightmare bearable because it is a nightmare."
"He's a strong, robust and courageous man and this detention has caused him great suffering."
Nicolas Sarkozy appeared by video link from La Santé prison to request release and permission to serve his sentence at home. He entered prison on 21 October after a Paris court sentenced him to five years for criminal conspiracy related to alleged funding from Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 campaign. He has appealed but remained detained because of the conviction's exceptional gravity. He described incarceration as gruelling, denied any intention to seek financing from Gaddafi, said he will not contact other defendants or witnesses, and said his family has suffered. His lawyer said isolation has caused great suffering.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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