Sarkozy Faces Trial Over Alleged €50 Million Libyan Financing for 2007 Campaign

Jan 5, 2025, 02:50 PM

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to go on trial starting Monday for alleged illegal campaign financing linked to a pact with the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Sarkozy, who has been convicted twice in separate cases since leaving office, faces charges of corruption, illegal campaign financing, association of criminals, and receiving embezzled public funds. The trial, which will run until April 10, will scrutinize claims that Sarkozy received around €50 million from Kadhafi to fund his successful 2007 presidential campaign. Sarkozy has denied these allegations, asserting they are part of a conspiracy against him. Alongside Sarkozy, 12 others will be tried, including former ministers Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux, and Eric Woerth, as well as businessmen Ziad Takieddine and Alexandre Djouhri, who are suspected of being intermediaries in the alleged financial transactions.