THE GUARDIAN: Former French president found guilty of criminal conspiracy after being accused of pact with Gaddafi regime
The former French president Nicolas Sarkozy said he would “sleep in jail but with my head held high” after receiving a five-year prison sentence – the first time a former head of state has been sent to prison in modern French history – for criminal conspiracy.
The verdict and sentencing followed a trial in which he and his aides were accused of making a corruption pact with the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to receive funding for the 2007 French presidential election campaign.
In a surprise ruling, the head judge, Nathalie Gavarino, handed down a special form of sentence that means Sarkozy, 70, will have to serve a prison term even if he appeals. She justified the conviction and sentencing on the grounds the offences were of “exceptional gravity” and “likely to undermine citizens’ trust.”
The start of Sarkozy’s sentence will be set at a later date, with prosecutors given a month to inform the former head of state when he should go to prison.
The judge also ordered Sarkozy to pay a €100,000 (£87,000) fine. » | Angelique Chrisafis in Paris | Thursday, September 25, 2025
Article connexe en français.
