Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for Ex-President Sarkozy in Libya Funding Case
Nicolas Sarkozy faces severe penalties as prosecutors allege illicit campaign financing linked to Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime.
Prosecutors in Paris have demanded a seven-year prison sentence for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in connection with allegations of illegal campaign financing from the regime of the late Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi.
The financial public prosecutor is also seeking a €300,000 fine against the 70-year-old Sarkozy as part of the proceedings in the case commonly known as the Libya affair.
The allegations claim that millions of euros were diverted from Gaddafi’s government to support Sarkozy’s successful bid in the 2007 presidential election.
Throughout the trial, Sarkozy has consistently refuted the accusations.
Prosecutors have argued that there was a clear understanding between Sarkozy and Gaddafi, characterized by illegal cash payments intended to finance the presidential campaign.
Sarkozy is facing charges of illegal campaign financing and corruption related to these claims.
Other defendants involved in the case include former ministers Claude Guéant, Éric Woerth, and Brice Hortefeux.
The prosecution has called for significant penalties for these co-defendants, proposing six years of imprisonment and a €100,000 fine for Guéant, three years in prison and a €150,000 fine for Hortefeux, and one year of imprisonment with an additional fine of €3,750 for Woerth.
The prosecution has dismissed defense claims suggesting that the charges were motivated by revenge due to Sarkozy’s leadership role in the international coalition that led to Gaddafi’s ousting in 2011. A pivotal aspect of the allegations hinges on testimony from Ziad Takieddine, a French-Lebanese businessman, who asserted that he transported several briefcases filled with millions in euros to the French Interior Ministry, which Sarkozy headed, in late 2006 or early 2007.
In exchange for the alleged financial support, it is claimed that Libya was promised advantageous contracts with French companies and help in reintegrating into the international community.
Notably, in December 2007, Gaddafi was received with military honors at the Élysée Palace, highlighting the nature of Franco-Libyan relations at the time.
The trial proceedings are set to continue until April 8, with the timeline for any potential verdicts remaining uncertain.
The financial public prosecutor is also seeking a €300,000 fine against the 70-year-old Sarkozy as part of the proceedings in the case commonly known as the Libya affair.
The allegations claim that millions of euros were diverted from Gaddafi’s government to support Sarkozy’s successful bid in the 2007 presidential election.
Throughout the trial, Sarkozy has consistently refuted the accusations.
Prosecutors have argued that there was a clear understanding between Sarkozy and Gaddafi, characterized by illegal cash payments intended to finance the presidential campaign.
Sarkozy is facing charges of illegal campaign financing and corruption related to these claims.
Other defendants involved in the case include former ministers Claude Guéant, Éric Woerth, and Brice Hortefeux.
The prosecution has called for significant penalties for these co-defendants, proposing six years of imprisonment and a €100,000 fine for Guéant, three years in prison and a €150,000 fine for Hortefeux, and one year of imprisonment with an additional fine of €3,750 for Woerth.
The prosecution has dismissed defense claims suggesting that the charges were motivated by revenge due to Sarkozy’s leadership role in the international coalition that led to Gaddafi’s ousting in 2011. A pivotal aspect of the allegations hinges on testimony from Ziad Takieddine, a French-Lebanese businessman, who asserted that he transported several briefcases filled with millions in euros to the French Interior Ministry, which Sarkozy headed, in late 2006 or early 2007.
In exchange for the alleged financial support, it is claimed that Libya was promised advantageous contracts with French companies and help in reintegrating into the international community.
Notably, in December 2007, Gaddafi was received with military honors at the Élysée Palace, highlighting the nature of Franco-Libyan relations at the time.
The trial proceedings are set to continue until April 8, with the timeline for any potential verdicts remaining uncertain.
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