<p>Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to face trial in 2025 following allegations that he accepted funds from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to finance one of his election campaigns, news agencies reported citing prosecutors. If convicted, the former French president could face up to 10 years in prison. The trial will delve into evidence suggesting that Sarkozy, along with 12 co-defendants, engaged in a conspiracy to unlawfully secure funds from Gaddafi to support his successful 2007 presidential bid.&nbsp;"There's not even the smallest inkling of proof," he reportedly said in a 2018 interview.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Denial of allegations</strong></h2>

<p>Sarkozy, a right-wing politician who has encountered numerous legal challenges since his single term as president from 2007 to 2012, vehemently denies the allegations involving Libyan funding.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-with-prigozhin-dead-wagner-groups-bloodied-past-tumultuous-present-uncertain-future-629170">With Prigozhin dead, Wagner group's bloodied past, tumultuous present &amp; uncertain future</a></p>

<p>These allegations stand as the most severe legal issue he currently faces. Despite being convicted twice for corruption and influence-peddling in separate cases related to attempts to manipulate a judge and campaign financing, Sarkozy has contested both verdicts through appeals.</p>

<h2><strong>Prominent figures among co-defendants</strong></h2>

<p>Several significant figures are among the co-defendants who will face trial for their alleged involvement in the Libyan funding scandal. These include Claude Gueant, Sarkozy's former right-hand man, Eric Woerth, the former head of campaign financing, and Brice Hortefeux, a former minister.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-wildfires-are-worst-in-europe-in-decades-says-eu-backed-climate-service-629165">Greek wildfires are worst in Europe in years, says EU-backed climate service</a></p>

<p>The investigation was triggered by revelations from the investigative platform Mediapart, which released a document purportedly indicating that Gaddafi had agreed to provide Sarkozy with up to 50 million euros ($54 million based on current exchange rates).</p>

<p>The prosecutor's office has announced that the first hearing is designated for March 7, 2024. The trial is planned between January 6, 2025, and April 10, 2025, according to the information provided. After his unsuccessful appeal in May, 68-year-old Sarkozy's 2021 conviction on charges of corruption and influence peddling stands. His legal team has expressed their intention to contest this verdict at France's highest court, reported Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Sarkozy-Gaddafi relations&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Sarkozy and Gaddafi shared an unexpectedly amicable relationship, exemplified by Gaddafi setting up his Bedouin tent across from the Elysee Palace during a state visit to France shortly after Sarkozy's election. Sarkozy's recent activities have rekindled attention in France, with the release of the second volume of his memoirs and his suggestions regarding the recognition of Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories following last year's Kremlin-led invasion.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | PM Modi, Xi Jinping discuss border issues in Johannesburg</strong></p>

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<p>He has also expressed his stance that Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia, will remain under Russian control, dismissing the possibility of reverting to the pre-annexation status quo.</p>

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to face trial in 2025 following allegations that he accepted funds from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to finance one of his election campaigns, news agencies reported citing prosecutors.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to face trial in 2025 following allegations that he accepted funds from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to finance one of his election campaigns, news agencies reported citing prosecutors. If convicted, the former French president could face up to 10 years in prison. The trial will delve into evidence suggesting that Sarkozy, along with 12 co-defendants, engaged in a conspiracy to unlawfully secure funds from Gaddafi to support his successful 2007 presidential bid. "There's not even the smallest inkling of proof," he reportedly said in a 2018 interview. Denial of allegations Sarkozy, a right-wing politician who has encountered numerous legal challenges since his single term as president from 2007 to 2012, vehemently denies the allegations involving Libyan funding. Also Read | With Prigozhin dead, Wagner group's bloodied past, tumultuous present & uncertain future These allegations stand as the most severe legal issue he currently faces. Despite being convicted twice for corruption and influence-peddling in separate cases related to attempts to manipulate a judge and campaign financing, Sarkozy has contested both verdicts through appeals. Prominent figures among co-defendants Several significant figures are among the co-defendants who will face trial for their alleged involvement in the Libyan funding scandal. These include Claude Gueant, Sarkozy's former right-hand man, Eric Woerth, the former head of campaign financing, and Brice Hortefeux, a former minister. Also Read | Greek wildfires are worst in Europe in years, says EU-backed climate service The investigation was triggered by revelations from the investigative platform Mediapart, which released a document purportedly indicating that Gaddafi had agreed to provide Sarkozy with up to 50 million euros ($54 million based on current exchange rates). The prosecutor's office has announced that the first hearing is designated for March 7, 2024. The trial is planned between January 6, 2025, and April 10, 2025, according to the information provided. After his unsuccessful appeal in May, 68-year-old Sarkozy's 2021 conviction on charges of corruption and influence peddling stands. His legal team has expressed their intention to contest this verdict at France's highest court, reported Reuters. Sarkozy-Gaddafi relations Sarkozy and Gaddafi shared an unexpectedly amicable relationship, exemplified by Gaddafi setting up his Bedouin tent across from the Elysee Palace during a state visit to France shortly after Sarkozy's election. Sarkozy's recent activities have rekindled attention in France, with the release of the second volume of his memoirs and his suggestions regarding the recognition of Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories following last year's Kremlin-led invasion. Watch | PM Modi, Xi Jinping discuss border issues in Johannesburg × He has also expressed his stance that Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia, will remain under Russian control, dismissing the possibility of reverting to the pre-annexation status quo. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Trial looms for ex-French President Sarkozy over alleged illicit funding from Gaddafi for election campaign

<p>Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence by a Paris court on Thursday after being found guilty of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid.</p>

<p>Sarkozy, 66, is unlikely to go to jail. He decided to appeal the sentence, a move that in effect suspends it, and the judge said he could serve the sentence at home with an electronic tag.</p>

<p>But the second conviction this year for Sarkozy is a stunning fall from grace for the man who led France from 2007 to 2012 and retains influence among conservatives.</p>

<p>The two convictions could force Sarkozy to play a more discreet role in next year's presidential election. He had not planned to be a candidate but, as a popular figure on the right, he would be expected to support his party's candidate.</p>

<p>Sarkozy's conservative party, prosecutors said, spent nearly double the 22.5 million euros (currently $19.2 million) allowed under electoral law on extravagant campaign rallies and then hired a friendly public relations agency to hide the cost.</p>

<p>Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing. He said he was not involved in the logistics of his campaign for a second term as president or in how money was spent during the election run-up.</p>

<p>"Can you imagine me going into a meeting to discuss the cost of flags?" he told the court in June. "I had too much to do."</p>

<p>"From the moment I was told things were in order, I had no reason to give it more thought."</p>

<p>But the court said Sarkozy was made aware of the overspending, that he did not act on it, and that it was not necessary for him to approve each individual spending to be responsible.</p>

<p><strong>Second conviction</strong></p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-10">Several others who faces charges were found guilty of fraud over the campaign financing and sentenced to up to 3-1/2 years in jail and hefty fines.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-11">Sarkozy was found guilty in a separate trial in March of trying to bribe a judge and peddle influence in order to obtain confidential information on a judicial inquiry. He also denied any wrongdoing in that case.</p>

<p>The former president was sentenced to three years in jail in that trial - two of which were suspended - but has not spent time in prison yet, while his appeal is pending.</p>

<p>That did not stop would-be presidential candidates vying for the vote of his supporters.</p>

<p>Conservatives Xavier Bertrand, Valerie Pecresse and Michel Barnier - who all hope to be endorsed as the conservatives' candidate - each sent "a message of friendship" to Sarkozy via Twitter, saying they backed his decision to lodge an appeal.</p>

<p>"He knows he can count on me," said Bertrand, who leads his rivals in opinion polls.</p>

<p>The son of a Hungarian immigrant father, Sarkozy debuted in politics as mayor of the wealthy district of Neuilly outside central Paris, before serving as President Jacques Chirac's finance minister.</p>

<p>As president, Sarkozy's high-energy style and abrasive manner polarised voters. His modest attempts at tax and labour reforms and limited success in creating jobs disenchanted both free-marketeers and centrist voters.</p>

<p>Outside France, he brokered a ceasefire to the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, and in 2011 championed a NATO-led military intervention in Libya to support an uprising against its autocratic leader, Muammar Gaddafi.</p>


Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence by a Paris court on Thursday after being found guilty of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence by a Paris court on Thursday after being found guilty of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid. Sarkozy, 66, is unlikely to go to jail. He decided to appeal the sentence, a move that in effect suspends it, and the judge said he could serve the sentence at home with an electronic tag. But the second conviction this year for Sarkozy is a stunning fall from grace for the man who led France from 2007 to 2012 and retains influence among conservatives. The two convictions could force Sarkozy to play a more discreet role in next year's presidential election. He had not planned to be a candidate but, as a popular figure on the right, he would be expected to support his party's candidate. Sarkozy's conservative party, prosecutors said, spent nearly double the 22.5 million euros (currently $19.2 million) allowed under electoral law on extravagant campaign rallies and then hired a friendly public relations agency to hide the cost. Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing. He said he was not involved in the logistics of his campaign for a second term as president or in how money was spent during the election run-up. "Can you imagine me going into a meeting to discuss the cost of flags?" he told the court in June. "I had too much to do." "From the moment I was told things were in order, I had no reason to give it more thought." But the court said Sarkozy was made aware of the overspending, that he did not act on it, and that it was not necessary for him to approve each individual spending to be responsible. Second conviction Several others who faces charges were found guilty of fraud over the campaign financing and sentenced to up to 3-1/2 years in jail and hefty fines. Sarkozy was found guilty in a separate trial in March of trying to bribe a judge and peddle influence in order to obtain confidential information on a judicial inquiry. He also denied any wrongdoing in that case. The former president was sentenced to three years in jail in that trial - two of which were suspended - but has not spent time in prison yet, while his appeal is pending. That did not stop would-be presidential candidates vying for the vote of his supporters. Conservatives Xavier Bertrand, Valerie Pecresse and Michel Barnier - who all hope to be endorsed as the conservatives' candidate - each sent "a message of friendship" to Sarkozy via Twitter, saying they backed his decision to lodge an appeal. "He knows he can count on me," said Bertrand, who leads his rivals in opinion polls. The son of a Hungarian immigrant father, Sarkozy debuted in politics as mayor of the wealthy district of Neuilly outside central Paris, before serving as President Jacques Chirac's finance minister. As president, Sarkozy's high-energy style and abrasive manner polarised voters. His modest attempts at tax and labour reforms and limited success in creating jobs disenchanted both free-marketeers and centrist voters. Outside France, he brokered a ceasefire to the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, and in 2011 championed a NATO-led military intervention in Libya to support an uprising against its autocratic leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

France's Sarkozy likely to avoid jail despite new conviction

The verdict is the latest twist in the tumultuous political career of the 66-year-old who ruled France from 2007 to 2012.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy convicted of corruption