Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris court. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, September 25, 2025, found him guilty of criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing involving Libya.
Sarkozy, who has consistently denied all accusations, was charged with striking a deal with former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to secure campaign funds. In exchange, he was alleged to have offered support for the then-isolated Libyan government on the international stage.
While the judge acquitted Sarkozy of other charges, including corruption, the court found insufficient evidence to prove that a direct agreement with Gaddafi was made, or that the Libyan funds explicitly reached Sarkozy’s campaign accounts.
The five-year sentence means Sarkozy faces imprisonment regardless of whether he pursues an appeal. The court also ordered him to pay a 100,000-euro fine.
Following the ruling, Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated his innocence, stating he would appeal the court’s decision. He defiantly told reporters, “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high.”