France’s highest court has confirmed the appeal court's decision to find former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption and influence peddling during his tenure as the country's leader. The 69-year-old faces a potential one-year prison sentence, with the possibility of serving it at home with an electronic bracelet.
Sarkozy was convicted of corruption and influence peddling for attempting to bribe a magistrate in exchange for confidential information related to a legal case in which he was involved. Both a Paris court in 2021 and an appeals court in 2023 found him guilty of these charges.
The Court of Cassation stated that the convictions and sentences are now final, marking a significant legal outcome for the former president. Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, has since retired from public life but remains active in conservative politics.
In response to the ruling, Sarkozy expressed his willingness to accept responsibility and face the consequences, while also asserting his innocence and denouncing what he perceives as an injustice. He plans to appeal the decision to the European Court of Human Rights in hopes of overturning the verdict.
Notably, this marks the first instance in modern French history where a former president has been convicted and sentenced to prison for actions taken during their term. Sarkozy's lawyer confirmed that he will comply with the ruling, which includes wearing an electronic bracelet.
Sarkozy is also facing another trial next month over allegations of receiving illegal funding from former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi for his 2007 presidential campaign. Despite his denials of any wrongdoing, Sarkozy continues to be embroiled in various legal battles.
The corruption case that led to the recent ruling centered around intercepted phone conversations in 2014, revealing discussions between Sarkozy and his lawyer regarding potential favors for a magistrate in exchange for confidential information. While Sarkozy denied any malicious intent, French prosecutors deemed the proposal as constituting corruption under the law.
Overall, the confirmation of Sarkozy's guilt in this case represents a significant legal milestone in French politics, underscoring the accountability of public officials for their actions.
