> Just to add a bit more context: after years of trials, one of our former President finally went to jail for a few weeks. And now, they're invited by media all over the country so they can complain about how unfair it was, they published a book about it, sold in the tens of thousands, their son is the new TV's favorite...

Haha I was wondering where this other side of the pond was. This leaves no doubt. Quelle indignité.

For others: it's Sarkozy they are referring to, who was sentenced to 5 years of prison but spent only 20 days in it. He's free until his next trial. For having colluded with terrorists.

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lm28469 15 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Sarkozy is out because in France you're free until proven guilty, unless you represent a risk to society or have a high risk of fleeing, neither apply to him, hence he's free until the final verdict

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harvey9 15 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The other poster said sarkozy was sentenced to 5 years. How was that not the result of having been found guilty? I understand there are more trials to follow but do not see why that would free him.

	▲	lm28469 12 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Because you can appeal a decision, and a verdict isn't final until every legal options have been pursued, appeal being one of them It's simple really, but if course it's not as outrageous and can't be used as rage bait

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_heimdall 15 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Wait, in France the sentencing is done before trial? Why would he already be sentenced to 5 years without first being tried or convicted?

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lm28469 12 hours ago | parent | next [-]

You can appeal, and until every legal options have been pursued a verdict is not final. Since you're innocent until proven guilty, and you cannot be guilty untill all options have been pursued, you're free until the appeal has been completed.

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aquassaut 13 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

No, he was convicted, put in prison, appealed the verdict and was released after 20 days waiting for the next trial

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atherton94027 14 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

There was a special law (that his party voted for btw) that added sentencing enhancements for the specific crime he did iirc

	▲	immibis 11 hours ago \| parent [-]
		It's surprisingly often the case that criminals assume everyone else is doing what they're doing, and want harsh punishments for it. (see also: the rates of homosexuality among homophobes)

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9dev 16 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Sarkozy is the whiniest bitch imaginable, and then he even has the gall to write a book about his prison experience.

Someone wrote in Le Monde, "it's like a man writing a feminist essay because he emptied the dish washer once", and that sums it up pretty well.