PARIS: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in his trial over the alleged illegal financing of his successful 2007 presidential campaign with funds from the government of then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The court spared the 70-year-old the humiliation of being marched out of the courtroom by police officers by saying that the date of his incarceration will be decided later.
However, in a major surprise, the judge said that Sarkozy will be imprisoned even if he appeals.
Sarkozy was found guilty on a key charge of acquiring illegal financing from the then-Libyan government of leader Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential campaign.
He reportedly took money from Libya in a criminal association plot from 2005 to 2007 to finance his campaigns in exchange for diplomatic favours.
The Paris court cleared Sarkozy of the three other charges, including passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and concealment of the embezzlement of public funds, media agency reported.
Additionally, two of Sarkozy’s close associates from his presidential era, former ministers Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux, were also found guilty of criminal association.
-Julie J
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