Nicolas Sarkozy Faces Trial Over Alleged €50 Million Libyan Financing for 2007 Campaign, Risks 10 Years in Prison

Jan 5, 2025, 02:51 PM

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to go on trial starting Monday, facing charges of corruption, illegal campaign financing, association of criminals, and receiving misappropriated public funds. The trial, which will run until April 10, centers on allegations that Sarkozy accepted illegal campaign financing from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi for his successful 2007 presidential campaign, reportedly amounting to €50 million. Sarkozy, who has been convicted twice in separate cases since leaving office, denies the allegations, asserting that there is no evidence of such financing. The prosecution claims the pact began in 2005 during a meeting in Tripoli between Sarkozy and Kadhafi, allegedly involving senior figures promising to help rehabilitate Kadhafi's international image in exchange for the funds. This included hosting Kadhafi in Paris, where he famously set up his tent. France later supported UN military action that led to Kadhafi's ousting and subsequent death. Alongside Sarkozy, 12 others will be tried, including three former ministers and two businessmen suspected of acting as intermediaries. If convicted, Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 375,000 euros, as well as a potential loss of civil rights for up to five years.