Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Prison Sentence for Libya Campaign Finance Plot
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, begins a five-year prison sentence for conspiring with Libya to finance his 2007 election campaign, a historic first for a French ex-president, as he appeals.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris court for criminal conspiracy and association related to his 2007 presidential campaign.
- The conviction stems from allegations, including those by Saif al-Islam, that Sarkozy's campaign secretly received millions from Libya's Gaddafi government for diplomatic favors.
- Sarkozy, aged 70, is beginning his prison sentence while appealing, marking the first time in modern French history a former president has been ordered to serve time.
- Despite the court acknowledging uncertainty regarding direct proof of a deal with Gaddafi, Sarkozy denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal the "scandalous" ruling.
- In a separate 2021 case, Sarkozy was also convicted of corruption and influence-peddling, leading to him being stripped of France's Legion of Honour.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story around the dramatic personal and political "downfall" of Nicolas Sarkozy, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of his jail sentence for a former French president. They highlight the severity of the legal outcome and Sarkozy's defiant claims of injustice, consistently linking this verdict to his broader history of legal challenges and portraying it as a significant blow to his legacy.
"The court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal association in a plot from 2005 to 2007 to finance his campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors."
Chicago Tribune"Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will soon be imprisoned after he was sentenced to five years in jail on Thursday by a court that found him guilty of criminal conspiracy over dealings with Libya, an unprecedented punishment for a leading French political figure."
USA TODAY"A Paris court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to 5 years in prison and -- in a major surprise -- said he’ll be incarcerated even if he appeals, after finding him guilty Thursday in his trial for alleged illegal campaign financing by Libya."
ABC News"Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to taking millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi."
BBC News"The court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal association in a scheme from 2005 to 2007 to finance his campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors."
Associated PressArticles (15)
Center (5)
FAQ
Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced for criminal conspiracy and association related to allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign received millions of euros in illegal funding from Libya's Gaddafi government.
Yes, Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving his five-year prison sentence while simultaneously appealing the conviction.
Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing, plans to appeal the ruling, and describes the conviction as "scandalous," emphasizing that the court acknowledged uncertainty about direct proof of a deal with Gaddafi.
Several French conservative leaders, including those from Les Républicains party, have condemned the sentence as unjust and politically motivated, criticizing the immediate enforcement of the prison term despite ongoing appeals.
Yes, in 2021, Sarkozy was convicted of corruption and influence-peddling, which led to him being stripped of France's Legion of Honour.
History
- 1M4 articles
- 1M
6 articles