Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy over illicit funds linked to late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He was acquitted of corruption and illegal campaign financing but fined €100,000.
The court ruled Sarkozy allowed aides to seek Libyan funds for his 2007 campaign but found no proof he directly benefited. Sarkozy, who plans to appeal, called the verdict politically motivated and a blow to the rule of law.
Other officials, including ex-interior ministers Claude Gueant and Brice Hortefeux, were also convicted. Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, faces related charges, which she denies.
This is his third conviction since leaving office, following earlier rulings over bribery and campaign overspending. He could soon become the first former French president to serve jail time.
