Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison For Fraud

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy over efforts by close aides to secure campaign funds from Libya during the rule of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The 70-year-old ex-president was acquitted of some charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign financing. Still, the Paris court ruled that he allowed his associates to pursue financial support from the Libyan regime for his 2007 presidential bid.

Judge Nathalie Gavarino declared: “Sarkozy is guilty of having allowed his close associates to act with a view to obtaining financial support from the Libyan regime.”

This marks the first time a former French head of state has been convicted of seeking foreign money for political gain.

Sarkozy arrived at court accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and his three adult sons. He sat in the front row of the defendants’ seats, in a courtroom filled with reporters and members of the public.