Official court verdicts and announcements

Nicolas Sarkozy Faces Trial Over Alleged 50 Million Euro Libyan Funding of 2007 Campaign

Jan 6, 2025, 05:35 AM

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to go on trial over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was illegally funded by the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi. The trial, which begins on January 6, 2025, and is expected to last until April 10, will see Sarkozy facing charges of corruption, illegal campaign financing, and criminal association. The accusations stem from claims that Sarkozy entered into a 'corruption pact' with Gaddafi to finance his election campaign, allegedly involving 50 million euros. Alongside Sarkozy, three former ministers—Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux, and Eric Woerth—are also implicated in the case. If convicted, Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 375,000 euros. Sarkozy has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as a 'fable' and a 'vengeance' by Libyans due to his support for rebels during the Arab Spring. His defense argues that no evidence of illegal funding has been found in the campaign's financial records.