Home World Politics France’s top court confirms corruption conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy

France’s top court confirms corruption conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy

France's top court confirms corruption conviction of former President Nicolas Sar Pulse News Network
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PARIS: The Cour de Cassation, France’s top court, upheld the corruption conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday. This ruling confirmed his 2021 conviction for corruption and influence peddling. Sarkozy had appealed the conviction, challenging the prison sentence and charges.

The conviction stems from Sarkozy’s attempt to bribe a judge and exert influence for confidential information. In 2021, a lower court sentenced him to three years in prison, with two years suspended. He was required to wear an electronic bracelet for the third year of his sentence instead of serving jail time.

Sarkozy had been found guilty of conspiring to secure a job for a judge in Monaco. The job offer was in exchange for confidential details regarding an investigation into his 2007 campaign financing. At the time, Sarkozy was accused of accepting illegal funds from Liliane Bettencourt, the heiress to the L’Oréal fortune.

The judge, Gilbert Azibert, was also convicted in the case of corruption and influence peddling. He was involved in the conspiracy to benefit Sarkozy with inside information.

In addition to the corruption conviction, Sarkozy faces another trial in 2024. The new charges involve illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign, allegedly involving Libyan funds. Sarkozy has denied any wrongdoing in this case.

If convicted in the Libyan case, Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison. Sarkozy’s predecessor, Jacques Chirac, is the only other French president convicted on similar corruption charges. Chirac was sentenced in 2011 for his actions during his presidency.

Sarkozy’s ongoing legal troubles highlight challenges for high-ranking political figures involved in corruption cases.

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