Ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to 5 years for criminal conspiracy

Zuko Komisa

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy in Paris over allegations of illegal Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign.
Sarkozy was, however, acquitted of the more serious charges of corruption and illegal campaign financing, with the court rejecting that he directly benefited.
The verdict comes just after the death of key accuser Ziad Takieddine, with prosecutors requesting a seven-year sentence for Sarkozy and two former aides also being convicted.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been convicted of criminal conspiracy by a Paris court, concluding a high-profile trial into allegations that the late Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi helped fund his successful 2007 presidential campaign.

The right-wing former leader, 70, was, however, acquitted of the more serious charges of corruption and accepting illegal campaign financing.

The court found that Sarkozy, while serving as a minister and party leader, had allowed his aides to approach Libyan authorities to “obtain or attempt to obtain financial support.”

The court rejected the prosecution’s conclusion that Sarkozy was the direct beneficiary of the alleged illegal campaign financing.

He was acquitted on counts including embezzlement of Libyan public funds, passive corruption, and illegal financing of an electoral campaign.

Prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison term for Sarkozy, with sentencing due later in the hearing.