Ex-French President Sarkozy jailed in historic ruling over Libya campaign finance scandal

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was on Thursday sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris court, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy related to the alleged illicit financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by Libya’s late leader Muammar Gaddafi.

At 70 years old, Sarkozy became the first modern French head of state to receive a firm prison sentence.

Alongside the custodial term, he was fined €100,000 and banned from holding public office for five years.

Though he plans to appeal the ruling, the court ordered that the sentence take effect even during the appellate process, an unusual measure in such high-profile corruption cases. Prosecutors had originally sought seven years in prison.

Two of Sarkozy’s close associates also received convictions: Claude Guéant was sentenced to six years (though his term may be affected by health issues), and Brice Hortefeux was given two years.

Sarkozy has vehemently denied wrongdoing, calling the verdict a “national humiliation” and insisting it was politically motivated.

The court found that while Sarkozy’s aides had solicited campaign funds from Libya, there was insufficient evidence that the funds reached his campaign or that he personally accepted money. This distinction led to his acquittal on more severe charges like passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.

The verdict has sent shockwaves through French politics, raising serious questions about accountability, electoral integrity, and the influence of foreign regimes in democratic processes.