Wayne Lumbasi
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris court after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy linked to alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. The ruling is being described as one of the most significant anti corruption decisions in modern French history.
According to the court, Sarkozy while serving as interior minister allowed a secret network of close allies to seek millions of euros from Muammar Gaddafi’s government to support his path to the Elysee Palace. Although he was cleared of direct corruption and illegal campaign financing, the judges ruled that the conspiracy itself was proven beyond doubt and amounted to a serious betrayal of public trust.
For the 70 year old Sarkozy, the verdict represents a dramatic fall from power. Once seen as an energetic reformer, he is now the first French head of state to face actual jail time. He reacted with anger, calling the decision a “judicial assassination” and promising to appeal. The court, however, emphasized that the sentence will be enforced even during the appeal process, underscoring the gravity of the offense.
Two of Sarkozy’s closest associates were also convicted. Claude Gueant, his former chief of staff, received a six year prison term while former interior minister Brice Hortefeux was given a two year sentence under electronic monitoring. Together, their convictions expose what prosecutors described as a well organised scheme funded by foreign money and secret deals.
Observers say the ruling breaks the long standing perception that France’s political elite can escape accountability and sends a strong warning that violations of campaign finance laws are crimes against the republic.
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