Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has received a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of criminal conspiracy. The conviction is linked to allegations of receiving millions of euros in illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 presidential campaign.
The Paris criminal court cleared Sarkozy of other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Despite the acquittal on some counts, the ruling mandates jail time, even if Sarkozy proceeds with his intended appeal.
The 70-year-old former president, who served from 2007 to 2012, expressed his strong disagreement with the verdict outside the court, calling it a “grave matter for the rule of law.” He stated, “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high.”
The investigation into these allegations began in 2013, following accusations by Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi’s son, that Sarkozy had accepted substantial campaign funding from Tripoli. A Lebanese businessman later provided evidence supporting these claims.
The court found that Sarkozy had allowed his aides to seek financial support from Libyan officials. However, the judges concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove Sarkozy directly benefited from illegal campaign financing.
Sarkozy was also fined €100,000 (approximately $117,000 or £87,000). This conviction marks a significant moment, potentially leading to the first custodial sentence for a former French president.
This case is one of several legal challenges Sarkozy has faced since losing his re-election bid in 2012. He is also appealing a previous ruling that found him guilty of overspending in his 2012 campaign and attempting to cover it up.