The highest court in France has confirmed the corruption and influence-peddling conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, sealing his three-year prison sentence.
The Cour de Cassation, France’s supreme judicial body, announced its decision on Wednesday, aligning with the lower court’s 2021 ruling against Nicolas Sarkozy. The former leader, who has maintained significant influence in French politics since his departure from office in 2012, was sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended. As part of the sentencing, Sarkozy is required to spend the remaining year wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet instead of serving time in prison.
The case against Sarkozy covered allegations of bribing a judge in exchange for confidential details about an investigation into his 2007 campaign finances. This probe was linked to claims of Sarkozy accepting illicit proceeds from wealthy elite, most notably from Liliane Bettencourt, the L’Oréal heiress. In a related judicial action, Judge Gilbert Azibert was also found guilty of corruption and influence peddling.
This legal setback for Sarkozy marks a rare occurrence in French history, as only one other head of state, Jacques Chirac, has been convicted after exiting office, following a guilty verdict for corruption in 2011. Sarkozy’s saga is emblematic of the ongoing legal challenges faced by political figures accused of leveraging their positions beyond legal limits.
Looking ahead, Sarkozy is scheduled to face trial next year concerning allegations of illegal campaign financing involving purported Libyan involvement during his successful 2007 presidential run. The potential consequences of this case could be severe, with a conviction possibly resulting in a decade-long imprisonment. Sarkozy continues to deny all allegations against him.
With the affirmation of his conviction by the highest court, Sarkozy’s legal troubles underline the broader scrutiny faced by political figures in power. These developments signal ongoing judicial vigilance over political ethics in France.
Source: CNN
