Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a trial over the alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign with funds from the government of then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris criminal court on Thursday acquitted Sarkozy of all other charges, including illegal campaign financing and passive corruption. However, the guilty ruling implies that Sarkozy, who led France between 2007 and 2012 and retired from active politics in 2017, will serve in prison even if he appeals.

What’s the case?

The 70-year-old Sarkozy was accused of striking a deal with Muammar Gaddafi in 2005, while serving as France’s interior minister. This he did in order to secure campaign financing in exchange f

See Full Page