Former French President Sarkozy Sentenced for Corruption

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy received a five-year prison sentence on Thursday after a Paris court found him guilty of conspiring with Libya to finance his 2007 election campaign.

The court determined that Sarkozy signed a criminal agreement between 2005 and 2007 to exchange diplomatic favors for campaign funding. However, he was acquitted of additional charges related to passive corruption, financing illicit campaigns, and concealing embezzled public funds. The 70-year-old ex-president is planning to appeal this decision, as reported by the Associated Press.

In reaction to his sentencing, Sarkozy expressed his feelings with resolve, stating, “If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But I hold my head high. I am innocent. This fraud is a scandal.” He challenged the humiliation he felt, claiming it was France that was truly humiliated.

The court also imposed a fine of approximately $117,000 alongside the prison sentence, as reported by the BBC.

Evidence in the case included allegations from Saif al-Islam, the son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who claimed that Sarkozy received millions to fund the 2007 campaign. A Lebanese businessman also asserted that Sarkozy accepted around $58 million, according to the BBC.

While the court acknowledged that Sarkozy’s associates raised funds with Libya’s support, there was no conclusive evidence that the money was actually used in the campaign.

Two former ministers associated with Sarkozy were also convicted. Claude Guéant received a two-year prison sentence, while Brice Hortefeux was sentenced to two years of electronic monitoring.

Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, faced accusations last year of conspiring to hide evidence and commit fraud.