Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Criminal Conspiracy

On September 25, 2025, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared at the Paris courthouse for the verdict in his high-profile trial over alleged corruption and unlawful campaign financing linked to supposed Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign, reported BBC News and Reuters.

Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy and handed a five-year prison sentence, while being cleared of other charges, including passive corruption and unlawful campaign financing. In addition, the court imposed a €100,000 ($117,000, £87,000) fine.

Judge Nathalie Gavarino stated that Sarkozy had allowed close aides to negotiate with Libyan officials in an attempt to secure funding for his campaign. However, the court concluded there was insufficient evidence that Sarkozy personally benefited from the funds.

The sentencing drew audible gasps in the courtroom, marking a historic moment: Sarkozy could become the first former French president to serve prison time in Paris.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Sarkozy said:

“What happened today... is of extreme gravity in regard to the rule of law, and for the trust one can have in the justice system. I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high, if they really want me to.”


The investigation into Sarkozy’s alleged dealings with Libya began in 2013, two years after Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader, accused him of embezzling millions of dollars from Libya to fund his campaigns. Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine claimed to possess evidence that Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign was heavily funded by Tripoli, including a reported €50 million (£43 million) transfer.

Former interior ministers Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux were also defendants in the trial, with Hortefeux convicted of criminal conspiracy and Guéant found guilty of corruption.

Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has previously faced accusations of concealing evidence and collaborating in fraud related to the case, which she denies.

This verdict adds to a series of legal challenges for Sarkozy. He previously received a one-year sentence (six months suspended) in 2024 for hiring a PR firm to conceal excessive spending on his 2012 re-election campaign and became the first former French president sentenced to prison in 2021 for attempting to bribe a judge in 2014. That sentence was later converted to home detention with an electronic tag by a Paris appeals court.

The Paris criminal court’s decision underscores Sarkozy’s ongoing legal troubles, even years after leaving office.