Nicolas Sarkozy Defends Actions in Trial Over Alleged Libyan Campaign Financing

The former French president denies corruption claims, addressing the controversial 2007 visit of Muammar Gaddafi and the release of Bulgarian nurses from Libyan detention.

Nicolas Sarkozy is on trial in Paris over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was financed by Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya.
Sarkozy denies any pact of corruption, emphasizing that Gaddafi's visit to Paris was not a state visit and was tied to the release of Bulgarian nurses, not campaign financing.
The release of the nurses, imprisoned in Libya on false charges, was a key campaign promise by Sarkozy and involved diplomatic efforts led by his then-wife, Cécilia Sarkozy.
Prosecutors argue that the visit and other diplomatic actions may have been part of broader quid-pro-quo arrangements with the Libyan regime, which Sarkozy strongly refutes.
The trial has highlighted conflicting testimonies, including those from intermediary Ziad Takieddine, whose credibility Sarkozy has repeatedly questioned.