Sarkozy Convicted of Criminal Conspiracy in Libya Funding Trial

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty on Thursday by a Paris criminal court of criminal conspiracy in the high-profile trial over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was illegally financed with millions of euros from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. This verdict marks another legal blow in a series of corruption cases against the right-wing ex-leader, who denies the charges .

Judge Nathalie Gavarino ruled that Sarkozy, then Interior Minister and leader of his party, had authorized his close allies to approach Libyan authorities to obtain or attempt to obtain financial support in violation of the law. However, the court acquitted him of other serious accusations, including passive corruption, embezzlement of Libyan public funds, and illegal campaign financing, which had been part of the prosecution’s case .

Sarkozy, who was present in court accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, could face up to seven years in prison as prosecutors requested during the trial. Two of his former aides were also convicted: Claude Guéant, found guilty of passive corruption and falsification, and Brice Hortefeux, convicted of criminal conspiracy. Another key figure, Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign treasurer Eric Woerth, was acquitted .

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Central to the prosecution’s case was the testimony of former Libyan dignitaries, money transfer records, and the notebooks of late Libyan oil minister Shukri Ghanem. The case also hinged on the testimony of Ziad Takieddine, a Franco-Lebanese businessman accused of delivering up to five million euros in cash from Gaddafi to Sarkozy and his inner circle in 2006 and 2007. Takieddine died on Tuesday in Beirut just two days before the verdict was announced, adding a dramatic twist to the case .

The prosecution argued that in exchange for funding Sarkozy’s electoral campaign, Gaddafi was promised political support to rehabilitate Libya’s international image, which had been tarnished due to its suspected involvement in terrorist attacks such as the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Notably, the court’s ruling did not establish that Sarkozy personally received the illicit funds .

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, has previously been convicted in other legal battles involving corruption and illegal campaign financing, resulting in prison sentences served under electronic tagging. Despite these setbacks, he remains an influential figure within France’s political right and retains a public profile with regular meetings with current President Emmanuel Macron .

The Paris court decision makes Sarkozy the first former French head of state convicted of criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing. He has the right to appeal the verdict, which may suspend sentencing pending the outcome of the appeals process .