The convictions this week were issued in the federal court in Alexandria, VA; the solitary confinement was ordered by a judge overseeing the case vs Manafort in the federal court in the District of Columbia. That trial is scheduled for next month. The president wouldn’t pardon before both trials and all appeals were concluded.
The DOJ apparently looked at Manafort’s crimes some years ago and decided not to pursue the charges. He was perceived (correctly) as part of the “swamp” in which they all dwell. THEN he signed on with and helped the one who would dare to drain that swamp, and suddenly the crimes became prosecutable. He had to be taught, and to be a lesson to others who would dare work for their annihilation.
Manafort was put into solitary for trying to influence witnesses but the defense had no witnesses.
Talk about persecution and this is the US not some 3rd world $hit hole.