Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced for Five years

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/25/former-french-president-sarkozy-handed-5-year-jail-term.html

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will soon be imprisoned after he was sentenced to five years in jail on Thursday by a court that found him guilty of criminal conspiracy over dealings with Libya, an unprecedented punishment for a leading French political figure.

The sentence was harsher than many expected, and a first in modern French political history. Sarkozy, who was president between 2007-2012, will spend time in jail even if he appeals the ruling.

As he exited the courtroom, Sarkozy expressed his anger at the ruling. “What happened today … is of extreme gravity in regard to the rule of law, and for the trust one can have in the justice system,” he told reporters.

“If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high,” he said, adding that he was innocent and that the ruling was scandalous.

Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy over efforts by close aides to procure funds for his 2007 presidential bid from Libya during the rule of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.