A Paris court on Thursday handed down a five-year prison sentence to former French president Nicolas Sarkozy after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy linked to allegations that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi helped bankroll his successful 2007 presidential campaign.
The court also ordered that Sarkozy, 70, be placed in custody at a later date, giving prosecutors one month to notify him when to report to prison. This ruling means that even if he appeals, the order will remain binding. If carried out, Sarkozy would become the first president in modern French history to serve time behind bars.
Alongside the prison sentence, Sarkozy was fined 100,000 euros ($117,000) and barred from holding public office. Though he has been convicted in two earlier trials, he previously avoided prison time, including one case where he served his sentence under electronic monitoring. That option has now been removed.
While Sarkozy intends to appeal, he could also seek parole citing his age. Presiding judge Nathalie Gavarino underscored the weight of the charges, calling them of “exceptional gravity” and “likely to undermine the confidence of citizens.”
The trial also ensnared several of Sarkozy’s close allies. Businessman Alexandre Djouhri, accused of acting as an intermediary in the alleged scheme, received a six-year sentence and was immediately taken into custody. Sarkozy’s longtime aide Claude Gueant was given six years but spared prison due to his advanced age and health, while former minister Brice Hortefeux received a two-year term, which he can serve under electronic surveillance.
Although Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy, the court acquitted him on corruption and illegal campaign financing charges, ruling there was insufficient evidence that Libyan funds were directly funneled into his campaign.
What you should know
Nicolas Sarkozy’s sentencing marks an unprecedented moment in France’s modern political history. While he faces prison for conspiracy charges linked to alleged Libyan campaign funding, the court stopped short of proving direct misuse of Gaddafi’s money.
Sarkozy, once one of Europe’s most influential leaders, now faces the possibility of ending his political career with a jail term.
