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Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years for Criminal Conspiracy in Libya Funding Case

Judges said he enabled efforts to seek Libyan financing, ordering that the prison term not be automatically suspended by an appeal.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, next to his wife Carla Bruni Sarkozy, speaks after a Paris court sentenced him to 5 years in prison and said he'll be incarcerated even if he appeals, after finding him guilty in his trial for alleged illegal campaign financing by Libya, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy reacts as he leaves with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy after the verdict in his trial with other defendants on charges of corruption and illegal financing of an election campaign related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, at the courthouse in Paris, France, September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for the verdict in his trial with other defendants on charges of corruption and illegal financing of an election campaign related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, at the courthouse in Paris, France, September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves after the verdict in his trial with other defendants on charges of corruption and illegal financing of an election campaign related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, at the courthouse in Paris, France, September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

Overview

  • The Paris court imposed a five-year prison term and said incarceration will proceed despite an appeal, with the start date to be determined.
  • Nicolas Sarkozy was acquitted of passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and concealing the embezzlement of public funds.
  • The judges said they could not determine with certainty that Libyan money financed the 2007 campaign, yet found he allowed aides to seek such support between 2005 and 2007.
  • Former ministers Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux were also convicted of criminal association and cleared of other counts.
  • Key intermediary Ziad Takieddine died in Beirut two days before the verdict, and a separate probe into possible witness pressure that carries preliminary charges for Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy remains active.