Prosecutors demand 7-year sentence for Sarkozy
Courthouse News • • world
Key Points:
- French prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence for former President Nicolas Sarkozy in an appeal trial over allegations he sought Libyan financing for his 2007 election campaign.
- Sarkozy, who served from 2007 to 2012, denies any wrongdoing but became the first modern French president to be jailed over this case, spending 20 days in custody before his release pending appeal.
- The initial trial sentenced Sarkozy to five years for seeking Libyan funds but acquitted him of corruption, illegal campaign financing, and receiving misappropriated Libyan public funds.
- Prosecutors accuse Sarkozy of orchestrating a pact to secure campaign funding in exchange for helping rehabilitate Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s international image after Libya was blamed for two deadly plane bombings.
- A verdict in the appeal trial is expected on November 30, with the possibility of further appeal to France’s highest court if convicted.