^{Photo: France 24}

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday for criminal conspiracy linked to attempts by his aides to secure campaign funds from Libya, making him the first former French president expected to serve jail time. The sentence, harsher than many anticipated, takes effect immediately, though Sarkozy has announced plans to appeal the ruling.

Courtroom Reaction and Statement

Exiting the courtroom, Sarkozy appeared visibly upset, calling the decision “scandalous” and asserting his innocence. “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high,” he said. He refused to apologize, stating, “I will not apologise for something I didn’t do.”

Standing by his side was Carla Bruni, his model and singer-songwriter wife. Sarkozy emphasized the gravity of the ruling for public trust in the French judicial system.

Details of the Conviction

Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy between 2005 and 2007 for allowing close aides to seek campaign financing from Libya under the regime of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi. He was acquitted of other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign funds.

Although there was no direct evidence that Sarkozy personally struck a deal with Gaddafi or received Libyan funds, the court ruled that he allowed aides to pursue illegal funding, which constitutes criminal conspiracy under French law. Once he assumed the presidency in May 2007, he was protected by presidential immunity.

The judge noted that while the timing of potential payments was compatible, and the money’s movement was “opaque,” proof of direct receipt by Sarkozy was lacking.

Immediate Sentence and Appeals

The court emphasized that the prison sentence is enforceable immediately, giving Sarkozy a short period to arrange his affairs. Legal experts anticipate he will report to prison within one month. His lawyer, Jean-Michel Darrois, expressed shock at the ruling and expressed hope that the appeals court will recognize his innocence.

Political and Public Reactions

The decision has polarized French politics. Several right-leaning figures criticized the ruling as biased, while left-leaning politicians hailed it as evidence of judicial independence.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, convicted earlier this year and given an immediate five-year ban from office, warned that such enforceable rulings without waiting for appeals pose risks to the political system.

Vincent Brengarth, lawyer for Sherpa, the economic justice campaign group involved in the trial, praised the court, stating, “This confirms we have an independent justice system that can be brave.”

Sarkozy’s Legal History

Sarkozy has faced multiple legal challenges since leaving office in 2012. Last year, France’s highest court upheld a conviction for corruption and influence peddling, requiring him to wear an electronic tag for one year, a first for a former French president. That tag has since been removed.

Additionally, an appeals court confirmed a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing during his failed 2012 re-election bid, with a final ruling from the Cour de Cassation expected next month.

In June, Sarkozy also had his Legion of Honour, France’s highest distinction, stripped due to ongoing legal troubles. Despite these setbacks, he remains an influential figure in French politics, maintaining connections with leaders such as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and lending credibility to the far-right National Rally (RN).

Historical Significance

Sarkozy’s conviction represents a historic moment in French political history. No former French president has ever served a prison sentence while holding such prominence. Observers note that this case highlights the balance of power between political authority and judicial accountability in France.

The ruling cements Sarkozy’s dramatic fall from power, from a presidency between 2007 and 2012 to a highly publicized legal defeat that will shape his legacy for years to come.