French high court upholds ex-president’s corruption conviction

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has faced yet another setback as France’s highest court upheld an appeal court decision finding him guilty of corruption and influence peddling during his time as the country’s head of state. The 69-year-old politician now faces a year in prison, with the possibility of serving his sentence at home with an electronic bracelet, as is common for sentences of two years or less.

Sarkozy’s legal troubles stem from a case in which he was accused of attempting to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about a legal matter in which he was involved. Both a Paris court in 2021 and an appeals court in 2023 found him guilty of corruption and influence peddling. In a statement released after the Court of Cassation’s decision, Sarkozy expressed his willingness to accept responsibility and face the consequences of his actions. However, he maintained his innocence and vowed to pursue further legal recourse, including taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy remains a prominent figure in French conservative politics, even after retiring from public life in 2017. He continues to wield influence within the political sphere and recently attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Sarkozy’s lawyer, Patrice Spinosi, confirmed that his client would comply with the court’s ruling, which may require him to wear an electronic bracelet.

This ruling marks the first time in modern French history that a former president has been convicted and sentenced to prison for actions taken during their term. Sarkozy’s predecessor, Jacques Chirac, faced a similar fate in 2011 when he was found guilty of misusing public funds during his tenure as Paris mayor. Despite these legal challenges, Sarkozy has maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing in the various cases brought against him.

In addition to the recent ruling, Sarkozy is set to stand trial next month in Paris on allegations that he received millions of dollars from former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi to fund his successful 2007 presidential campaign. The corruption case that led to Wednesday’s decision revolved around intercepted phone conversations from 2014, revealing discussions between Sarkozy and his lawyer about offering a job to a magistrate in exchange for confidential information.

While Sarkozy and his associates have been found guilty in this case, the former president has continued to protest his innocence, claiming that his actions were not malicious. The legal proceedings against him have shed light on the complexities of French law regarding corruption and influence peddling. Despite the challenges he faces, Sarkozy remains resolute in his determination to clear his name and seek justice through the legal system.