France’s Sarkozy to go to prison on 5-year sentence

26 SEPTEMBER 2025

A Paris court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years and ordered him to go to prison after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy over accusations the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi helped fund his victorious 2007 presidential run.
Even if Mr. 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 was also fined 100,000 euros and banned from holding public office.
Mr. Sarkozy has been convicted already in two separate trials but always avoided jail, in one case serving his sentence with an electronic tag which has now been removed.
As well as appealing, Mr. Sarkozy could also request parole on the grounds of his age.
The court earlier convicted Mr. Sarkozy on charges of criminal conspiracy but acquitted him of corruption and accepting illegal campaign financing.
It also said there was no proof that money from the Libyan Kadhafi was ultimately used in campaign.