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2w ago

Defense Lawyers Denounce 'Empty Case' in Sarkozy-Linked Libyan Financing Trial

As the 38-day trial nears its conclusion, defense attorneys argue the prosecution's case lacks evidence and relies on unsubstantiated claims.

« Si vous suivez les réquisitions, vous condamnez Claude Guéant à une quasi-peine de mort déguisée puisqu’il sortira de prison à 87 ans sans logement », a plaidé son avocat.
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Nicolas Sarkozy au tribunal correctionnel de Paris le 5 février.

Overview

  • Three former ministers close to Nicolas Sarkozy—Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux, and Éric Woerth—are on trial over allegations of illicit Libyan financing for Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign.
  • The prosecution has charged the defendants with corruption, influence peddling, money laundering, and fraud, seeking severe sentences including six years in prison for Guéant.
  • Defense lawyers argue the case is built on vague hypotheses and lacks concrete evidence, describing the prosecution's narrative as exaggerated and unsupported.
  • The trial has lasted 38 days, with defense rebuttals concluding on April 7, 2025; a final judgment date is expected to be announced after further deliberations.
  • The case has significant political implications, with potential long-term effects on Sarkozy's legacy and broader concerns about foreign influence in French political financing.