Breaking news, former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been sentenced to 5 years in jail after the court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case about illegal money from Libya’s former leader, Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris criminal court cleared him of other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing, on Thursday. Latest news reports indicate Sarkozy will have to go to prison, even if he appeals the decision, which he says he plans to do.
The 70-year-old former president, who led France from 2007 to 2012, said after the hearing that the verdict was extremely serious for the rule of Law. Sarkozy claims the case against him is politically motivated and has always said that he is innocent. He was accused of using millions of euros from Gaddafi to pay for his 2007 election campaign. In return, the prosecutor said Sarkozy promised to help Gaddafi improve his bad reputation with Western countries.
Court Says Sarkozy Let Aides Contact Libya For Money
Judge Nathalie Gavarino said Sarkozy followed close helpers to contact officials to try to get money for his campaign. However, the court ruled that there was not enough proof to show Sarkozy personally receiving the illegal campaign money. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 euros. People in the courtroom gasped when the judge read out the sentence because it was such a shock.
Sarkozy could be sent to Paris prison in the coming days, which would be the first time a former French president goes to jail. This is a very embarrassing situation for someone who always said he was innocent in other legal cases against him. Speaking outside the court building, he said what happened was extremely serious and damaged trust in the justice system.
Investigation Started After Gaddafi’s Son Made Accusations
The investigation began in 2013, two years after Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi’s son, who was the first to accuse him of taking millions of his father’s money for his election campaign. The following year, Lebanese businessman Zaid Takieddine said he had written proof that his campaign was heavily financed by Libya with €50 million worth of payments that continued even after he became president. Other people accused in the trial included former interior affairs minister Claude Gueant and Bryce Hortefeux.
Since losing his election in 2012, Sarkozy has been targeted by multiple criminal investigations. He also appeared against a February 2024 ruling that found him guilty of overspending on his 2012 election campaign and then hiring a PR company to cover it up. He got a one-year sentence for that case, with six months’ suspension.
FAQs
- How long is Sarkozy’s present sentence?
Sarkozy is sentenced to 5 years in jail.
- Why has the former French president been sentenced?Â
He is accused of using millions of euros from Libya’s Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.
- Is this the first time a French president has been sentenced to prison?
No, Sarkozy was previously sentenced in 2021 for trying to bribe a judge.
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