A Paris court on Thursday convicted former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on charges of criminal conspiracy over accusations he accepted illegal campaign funds during his 2007 presidential bid from then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Sarkozy, who was present in court, was acquitted on a separate charge of corruption, but judge Nathalie Gavarino said he had “allowed his close aides […] to act with a view to obtaining financial support” for the campaign.
Two former close associates of Sarkozy, Claude Gueant and Brice Hortefeux, were also found guilty. Gueant was found guilty of passive bribery and forgery, while Hortefeux was found guilty of criminal conspiracy.
Sentencing is due to be announced later in the hearing, with prosecutors requesting a seven-year prison term for the man who led France from 2007 to 2012.
This is a developing story…
