Former French President Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years for Gaddafi Funding

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French President, has received a five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy, stemming from a high-profile case involving illicit funds allegedly supplied by the late Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi.

The Paris criminal court’s ruling on Wednesday stated that Sarkozy enabled close aides to secure financial backing from Libyan officials for his 2007 presidential campaign.

While Sarkozy was acquitted of charges related to passive corruption and illegal campaign financing, Judge Nathalie Gavarino observed that his actions created an opportunity for Gaddafi’s regime to exert influence over French politics.

Prosecutors contended that the Libyan leader funnelled up to €50 million (£43m) into Sarkozy’s campaign, and although the court found insufficient evidence to prove direct receipt of the funds, it concluded that Sarkozy played a crucial role in facilitating the conspiracy.

The investigation began in 2013, two years after Saif al-Islam Gaddafi accused Sarkozy of secretly accepting millions of dollars in campaign contributions. Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine later claimed to have written evidence that Sarkozy’s presidential bid was heavily financed by Tripoli.

Several of Sarkozy’s allies were also convicted, including former interior minister Claude Gueant, who was found guilty of corruption, and former interior minister Brice Hortefeux, who was convicted of conspiracy. Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, still faces related charges of hiding evidence, which she denies.

Sarkozy, who served as France’s leader from 2007 to 2012, has persistently denied the allegations, deeming the case politically driven. Recently, his legal challenges have escalated: in 2021, he became the first former French president to receive a prison sentence after being convicted of attempting to bribe a judge.

Furthermore, in 2024, he was also found guilty of exceeding campaign expenditure limits during his unsuccessful re-election bid. With this latest verdict, Sarkozy faces his most severe penalty yet—a five-year custodial sentence.