Former French president (Credit Ai)
International News: In a landmark ruling, the Paris court found Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of involvement in a corrupt scheme connected to Libya. Judges said Sarkozy allowed his aides to contact Libyan officials seeking money for campaign support. Though the court admitted there was no direct proof that Libyan cash reached his campaign, French law still considers such attempts a crime. Sarkozy was fined €100,000 and given a prison sentence, with his jail term to begin later.
The ruling stunned observers when the judge announced that Sarkozy would still face prison even if he files an appeal. This unusual condition shocked many, as normally sentences can be delayed pending appeals. The court spared the 70-year-old ex-president from immediate arrest in the courtroom, saying the incarceration date will be set later. Still, the decision has intensified political and legal debates across France.
Two of Sarkozy’s closest allies, Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux, both former ministers, were also convicted. They were accused of conspiring with Libyan officials to arrange financial help for the 2007 campaign. The court ruled that although Sarkozy himself was not directly involved in handling money, he created space for his aides to engage in the illegal effort. This connection was enough under French law to convict him.
Sarkozy faced multiple charges during the lengthy trial. The court cleared him of three major allegations, including passive corruption, direct illegal financing, and concealment of embezzled funds. However, he was found guilty of criminal association linked to seeking foreign money. Judges highlighted that the scheme itself was corrupt, regardless of whether money was delivered. This partial acquittal has not softened the impact of the main conviction.
Throughout the three-month trial, Sarkozy strongly denied the charges. He insisted that he never took money from Libya or struck deals with Muammar Gaddafi’s government. Speaking after the verdict, Sarkozy said the ruling posed serious concerns about French justice. He claimed the judgment undermines trust in the legal system and reaffirmed his innocence, vowing to appeal the decision immediately.
During the sentencing, Sarkozy was accompanied by his wife, singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. The courtroom witnessed tense moments as the former president listened to the judge’s decision. Supporters expressed shock at the verdict, while critics said it was a sign that no leader is above the law. The presence of Carla Bruni highlighted the personal toll the case has taken on the family.
Sarkozy was elected president in 2007 but lost reelection in 2012. Once a powerful conservative figure, his political career is now overshadowed by legal troubles. Analysts say this ruling will mark him in history as the first French president to face such a prison order. Sarkozy said he will “fight until the end” to clear his name, but the case has already damaged his reputation beyond repair.
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