Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to taking millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris criminal court acquitted him of all other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Sarkozy, who claims the case is politically motivated, was accused of using the funds from Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign. In exchange, the prosecution alleged Sarkozy promised to help Gaddafi combat his reputation as a pariah with Western countries.
Sarkozy, 70, was president of France from 2007 to 2012. The investigation was opened in 2013, two years after Saif al-Islam, son of the then-Libyan leader, accused Sarkozy of taking millions from his father's regime for campaign funding. In 2014, Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine stated he had proof of Sarkozy's campaign being 'abundantly' financed by Tripoli.
Since losing his re-election bid in 2012, Sarkozy has been subject to several criminal probes. He was found guilty in February 2024 for overspending on his 2012 campaign and was previously convicted in 2021 for attempting to bribe a judge.
Sarkozy, 70, was president of France from 2007 to 2012. The investigation was opened in 2013, two years after Saif al-Islam, son of the then-Libyan leader, accused Sarkozy of taking millions from his father's regime for campaign funding. In 2014, Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine stated he had proof of Sarkozy's campaign being 'abundantly' financed by Tripoli.
Since losing his re-election bid in 2012, Sarkozy has been subject to several criminal probes. He was found guilty in February 2024 for overspending on his 2012 campaign and was previously convicted in 2021 for attempting to bribe a judge.
