Former French President Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Darwin, 25 September

A French court has sentenced former President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison, after being found guilty of conspiracy. This is an unprecedented case in modern French history involving a high-profile political figure receiving such a sentence.

Sarkozy faced allegations that during his 2007 presidential campaign, he accepted millions of euros from Libya’s then-leader Muammar Gaddafi to be used illegally as campaign funding.

However, on Thursday, the Paris criminal court acquitted him of a number of other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing.

Sarkozy claims the case is politically motivated and insists on his innocence. He also described the verdict as “shameful” and said he would appeal. As he exited the courtroom, he expressed anger at the decision, stating:

> “What has happened today … is extremely serious for the rule of law and the public’s trust in the judicial system. If they want to see me sleep in prison, then I will sleep in prison — but with my head held high.”

Aged 70, Sarkozy served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012. In his bid for a second term in 2012, he was defeated by socialist candidate François Hollande. Since then, he has faced multiple investigations on various charges. He officially retired from active politics in 2017.

Sources: BBC, Reuters