Paris Court of Appeal has banned Nicolas Sarkozy from contacting Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin as part of his judicial supervision after prison release. The minister stated on TF1 Tuesday evening that the former president will respect this measure. Darmanin expresses no regret for his prison visit to Sarkozy.
Nicolas Sarkozy, released after three weeks of detention at La Santé prison for the alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign, is under judicial supervision imposed by the Paris Court of Appeal. On Monday, the judges prohibited the former president from any contact with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin or members of his cabinet, citing Sarkozy's ability to «actionner différents services de l'État» (mobilize various state services).
This decision follows Darmanin's visit to Sarkozy in prison on October 29. The minister, who had assumed this initiative to check the «conditions de sécurité» (security conditions) of the former president – protected by two armed police officers –, drew criticism. A collective of «indignés» (outraged) lawyers filed a complaint against him with the Cour de justice de la République, denouncing a «mélange des genres» (mixing of roles) and his expressed support, such as his «tristesse» (sadness) voiced before the visit.
Appearing on TF1's «20H» Tuesday evening, Gérald Darmanin defended his stance. «Nicolas Sarkozy va respecter ses obligations», he predicted, specifying that this means «ne pas entrer en contact» (not entering into contact) with him while he remains minister. He added: «Nous allons tous respecter les décisions de justice» (We will all respect judicial decisions). Questioned on the judges' motivations, he stated: «J’ai été neuf ans ministre des Français (...) Je n’ai jamais trahi» (I was a minister for the French for nine years (...) I have never betrayed).
Darmanin stands firm on his visit: «J’ai rempli mon rôle et je ne regrette rien» (I fulfilled my role and I regret nothing). He justified the action by the threats against Sarkozy, emphasizing that in case of an incident, he would have been held accountable by Parliament, the media, and the CJR. He visits three prisons per week and stresses the exceptional status of the former president.