The former French president has been convicted before, but the charge that he took illegal campaign funding from the regime of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi has been the most damaging to his legacy.

Sarkozy is the first former French president to serve a custodial sentence. In February, he was fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet to serve a one-year prison sentence under house arrest. He is allowed only to leave the house between 8am and 9pm and is barred from travel.

Sarkozy is charged with having allegedly made a deal with Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 presidential election campaign.