Thu Sep 25 12:06:34 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

**Former French President Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years for Illegal Campaign Financing**

**Paris – September 25, 2025 (The Hindu)** – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison today by a Paris court after being found guilty of criminally conspiring with Libya to obtain illegal campaign financing. The charges relate to his successful 2007 presidential bid, where he was accused of accepting money from then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in exchange for supporting Libya’s position on the international stage.

While the judge acquitted Mr. Sarkozy on separate corruption charges, they determined that a criminal conspiracy did exist. However, the judge stated there was no proof that Sarkozy made a specific deal with Gaddafi, nor that Libyan money reached his campaign coffers.

Despite the sentence, Mr. Sarkozy maintains his innocence and has vowed to appeal the decision. “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high,” he told reporters after the ruling.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court also ordered Mr. Sarkozy to pay a 100,000-euro fine. The ruling means that regardless of whether an appeal is launched, Sarkozy will face imprisonment.

The case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the integrity of political campaigns and the influence of foreign governments.

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