Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after a Paris court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case linked to millions of euros allegedly received from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The 70-year-old, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was acquitted of corruption and illegal campaign financing but ordered to pay a €100,000 fine. Sarkozy, who insists the case is politically motivated, says he will appeal.
The conviction marks the first time a former French president faces possible jail time over campaign funding, dealing a heavy blow to Sarkozy’s political legacy.
