France Prosecution demands seven years in prison for Sarkozy
In the appeal trial against France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy in the affair surrounding alleged election campaign funds from Libya, the prosecution has demanded seven years in prison, as it did in the first instance. In addition, the public prosecutor's office in Paris pleaded for a fine of 300,000 euros. It accuses Sarkozy of forming a criminal organization, bribery, illegal campaign financing and having profited from the misappropriation of public funds.
13.05.2026, 17:35
13.05.2026, 17:36
SDA
The 71-year-old had once again protested his innocence in the proceedings. Sarkozy testified in court that not a single cent from Libya had flowed into his election campaign and that he had not been under the influence of the then ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Libya affair most explosive trial for Sarkozy
The Libya affair is probably the most explosive case against Sarkozy. At first instance, the court saw no evidence that money for Sarkozy's 2007 presidential election campaign actually came from the leadership of the then Libyan ruler Gaddafi. However, according to the court, the conservative and close associates had attempted to obtain this money. Sarkozy was found guilty of membership of a criminal organization at first instance and sentenced to five years in prison. He was sent to prison for a few weeks.
Sarkozy thus received a harsher sentence than any previous head of state before him in recent French history. The former head of state's lawyers had demanded an acquittal. Sarkozy had always denied the accusations. The appeal process will run until the end of May.
In addition to Sarkozy, ten other defendants are on trial in the appeal proceedings, including former ministers Claude Guéant, Éric Woerth and Brice Hortefeux.
