Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years in Libya Campaign Finance Trial

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for the verdict in his trial for illegal campaign financing from Libya, at the Tribunal de Paris courthouse. Photo: DPA International

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a long-running case over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.

The Paris Criminal Court delivered the verdict on Thursday, acquitting the 70-year-old of charges of bribery, illegal campaign financing, and benefiting from embezzled public funds. The sentence was not suspended or converted to home monitoring.

The case centers on claims that millions of euros from Moamer Gaddafi’s regime were funneled into Sarkozy’s campaign, with witnesses testifying to suitcase deliveries of cash in 2006 and 2007. Twelve other defendants, including former ministers, also faced charges.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, has consistently denied wrongdoing. The verdict is subject to appeal.