French court convicts ex-president Sarkozy of conspiracy over links to Gaddafi, jails him for 5 years

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy leaves next to his wife French-Italian singer Carla Bruni after the verdict in his trial for illegal campaign financing from Libya for his successful 2007 presidential bid, at the Tribunal de Paris courthouse in Paris, on September 25, 2025. (JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy leaves next to his wife French-Italian singer Carla Bruni after the verdict in his trial for illegal campaign financing from Libya for his successful 2007 presidential bid, at the Tribunal de Paris courthouse in Paris, on September 25, 2025. (JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

A Paris court sentences former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to five years and orders him to go to prison after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy over accusations the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi helped fund his victorious 2007 presidential run.

The court orders that Sarkozy should be placed in custody at a later date, with prosecutors given one month to inform the former head of state when he should go to prison.

Even if Sarkozy, 70, appeals the verdict this measure will remain in force. Should he go to prison, he will be the first president in the history of modern France to be jailed.

He is also fined 100,000 euros ($117,000) and banned from holding public office.

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