French prosecutors have asked an appeal court in Paris to sentence former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to seven years in prison over allegations linked to illegal campaign financing involving late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
According to reports by France 24 citing AFP, Sarkozy is accused of entering into a secret agreement with Gaddafi ahead of the 2007 French presidential election, during which Libyan funds allegedly helped finance his successful campaign.
In exchange, prosecutors allege Sarkozy supported efforts aimed at rehabilitating Gaddafi’s international reputation after Libya was blamed for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing in Scotland and another 1989 bombing in Niger that killed hundreds of passengers.
Sarkozy, who served as president of France from 2007 to 2012, has consistently denied all allegations, insisting the case against him is politically motivated.
During court proceedings, the former president maintained his innocence, declaring, “I’m innocent.”
Prosecutors urged the court to convict him on all charges, including corruption and illegal financing tied to his 2007 presidential campaign.
In September 2025, a lower court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy but cleared him of corruption and personally receiving illegal campaign funds.
The ruling made him the first modern French president to serve time behind bars after he reportedly spent three weeks in prison late last year. He served 20 days before being released pending appeal.
A final verdict in the appeal case is expected on November 30. If convicted, Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison, although any further appeal would proceed to Court of Cassation.
Since leaving office, Sarkozy has faced multiple legal battles and has already received two definitive convictions in separate cases.
