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Nicolas Sarkozy Faces Historic Trial Over Alleged €50 Million Libyan Campaign Financing

Jan 5, 2025, 07:24 PM

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to stand trial starting Monday in what has been described as a historic trial, accused of accepting illegal campaign financing from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi for his successful 2007 presidential campaign. The trial, which will run until April 10, involves 13 defendants, including three former ministers, Brice Hortefeux, Claude Guéant, and Eric Woerth, as well as intermediaries Ziad Takieddine and Alexandre Djouhri. Sarkozy faces charges of corruption, illegal campaign financing, benefiting from embezzled public funds, and being part of a criminal conspiracy. The allegations suggest that Sarkozy received €50 million from Gaddafi, which were used to finance his campaign. The case emerged 14 years ago following revelations by Mediapart. Sarkozy has denied the accusations, and his defense argues that there is no concrete evidence of Libyan funding. The trial marks a significant legal challenge for Sarkozy, who was previously convicted of corruption in a separate case.