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4w ago

French Prosecutors Seek 7-Year Prison Term for Nicolas Sarkozy in Libya Corruption Trial

Sarkozy is accused of accepting millions in illegal campaign funds from Muammar Gaddafi in 2007, with prosecutors also requesting a €300,000 fine and a five-year ban from public office.

FILE - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives as he goes on trial over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
Sarkozy meets with Macron regularly
Sarkozy welcomed Kadhafi to Paris in 2007
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Overview

  • French prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence for former President Nicolas Sarkozy, alleging he accepted illegal campaign financing from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during his 2007 presidential campaign.
  • The prosecution has also called for a €300,000 fine and a five-year ban on Sarkozy holding public office, citing a 'corruption pact' involving diplomatic and economic favors to Libya in exchange for financial support.
  • Sarkozy denies all charges, describing the allegations as false and politically motivated, and has vowed to continue fighting for his innocence.
  • Prosecutors presented evidence including testimonies from Libyan officials, financial transfers, and the notebooks of a former Libyan oil minister, while highlighting Sarkozy's 'frantic quest for funding' driven by political ambition.
  • The trial, which began in January 2025, is set to conclude on April 10, with a verdict expected later this year, potentially making Sarkozy the first former French president convicted of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office.