By Erewunmi Peace

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris court after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in connection with allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was illegally financed with funds from the Libyan regime of the late Muammar Gaddafi.

The court ruled that Sarkozy engaged in a conspiracy to cover up the source of illicit funds but acquitted him of charges including passive corruption, illegal campaign financing, and concealing embezzled public funds.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Speaking after the verdict, he declared that he would appeal the decision, vowing to “fight until the end” to clear his name. Despite the appeal, French law requires that he begin serving his sentence immediately — a rare move for such a high-profile political figure.

The case stems from long-standing suspicions that Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign received millions in covert funding from Libya. Investigators alleged that intermediaries linked to Gaddafi’s regime funneled cash to Sarkozy’s team. Sarkozy has repeatedly dismissed the claims as “an insult to France” and a politically motivated attack.

This is not the former president’s first conviction. In 2021, Sarkozy was found guilty of corruption and influence-peddling in a separate case, though he has also appealed that ruling.

The sentence marks a dramatic fall from grace for Sarkozy, once seen as one of Europe’s most influential leaders. It also underscores growing efforts by French courts to hold politicians accountable for corruption and campaign financing violations.

If the conviction is upheld, Sarkozy will become the first former French president to serve jail time for criminal conspiracy related to campaign financing.