Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving his sentence on March 21st, following news reports in France. Sarkozy was convicted of corruption and influence peddling in February 2021 and his attempts to delay his sentence were unsuccessful. This marks a significant moment in French politics as Sarkozy becomes the second French president in modern history to be imprisoned.

In Japan, corruption charges involving high-level politicians are also treated seriously. However, it is somewhat rare to see such prominent figures facing prison sentences. This news has drawn extensive attention due to the monumental nature of seeing a former head of state incarcerated.

In the US and EU, the legal systems similarly handle corruption charges. High-ranking officials can face imprisonment if convicted of such charges. However, it's relatively rare, especially for former heads of state. The incarceration of former French president Sarkozy underlines the increased global scrutiny towards the conduct of public officials.