Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in connection with illicit campaign funding allegedly provided by late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Judge Nathalie Gavarino ruled that Sarkozy allowed his close aides to solicit millions of euros from Gaddafi’s regime to finance his successful 2007 presidential campaign.
The Paris criminal court, however, acquitted the 70-year-old of passive corruption and illegal campaign financing, citing insufficient evidence that he personally benefited from the funds. Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was also fined €100,000 (£87,000). Gasps reportedly filled the courtroom as the unprecedented sentence was read out, making him the first former French president to face jail time.
Reacting to the verdict, Sarkozy denounced it as politically motivated and vowed to appeal. “What happened today is of extreme gravity for the rule of law,” he told reporters. “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high.”
The case dates back to 2013, when Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi’s son, accused Sarkozy of taking millions from his father to bankroll the 2007 campaign. Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine later claimed to have evidence that €50 million (£43m) was transferred from Tripoli to Paris, with payments continuing even after Sarkozy assumed office.
Several of Sarkozy’s allies were also convicted. Former interior minister Claude Gueant was found guilty of corruption, while ex-minister Brice Hortefeux was convicted of criminal conspiracy. His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, faces separate charges of concealing evidence and fraud, which she denies.
Sarkozy has faced multiple legal battles since leaving office. In February 2024, he received a one-year partly suspended sentence for exceeding spending limits during his failed 2012 re-election campaign. In 2021, he was convicted of attempting to bribe a judge, becoming the first ex-president to receive a custodial sentence, though he served it at home with an electronic tag.
The latest ruling represents a major setback for Sarkozy and raises the possibility that he could serve actual prison time in the coming days.
