Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's trial over alleged Libyan campaign funding is set to begin on March 16 as he appeals his conviction. In a lower court, Sarkozy was found guilty of seeking financial backing from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during his successful presidential election bid in 2007. The former head of state, who served from 2007-2012, had denied any wrongdoing.
Sarkozy's initial sentence of five years behind bars was cut short when he was released after serving just 20 days in La Sante prison, a decision made by the judge due to exceptional circumstances. However, Sarkozy has now launched an appeal against his conviction, and the Paris appeals court will preside over proceedings that are scheduled to conclude on June 3.
During the trial, investigators believe that Sarkozy's aides struck a deal with Gaddafi in 2005 to provide financial support for his election campaign, in exchange for help restoring Libya's international image following alleged bombings in Scotland and Niger. However, the court did not find conclusive evidence that Sarkozy personally received or used these funds.
This latest development marks another chapter in Sarkozy's ongoing legal woes since losing re-election in 2012. The former president has already been convicted in two other cases, adding to his growing list of controversies.
Sarkozy's initial sentence of five years behind bars was cut short when he was released after serving just 20 days in La Sante prison, a decision made by the judge due to exceptional circumstances. However, Sarkozy has now launched an appeal against his conviction, and the Paris appeals court will preside over proceedings that are scheduled to conclude on June 3.
During the trial, investigators believe that Sarkozy's aides struck a deal with Gaddafi in 2005 to provide financial support for his election campaign, in exchange for help restoring Libya's international image following alleged bombings in Scotland and Niger. However, the court did not find conclusive evidence that Sarkozy personally received or used these funds.
This latest development marks another chapter in Sarkozy's ongoing legal woes since losing re-election in 2012. The former president has already been convicted in two other cases, adding to his growing list of controversies.
. i mean, 5 years behind bars was a pretty harsh sentence for just a financial deal with gaddafi... but at the same time, he did try to use that money to boost his campaign, so you can kinda see why they made him pay 
. but now he's appealing and it's gonna be interesting to see what new evidence comes up 
. if he wins this one, it'll just add more fuel to the fire of all these other controversies surrounding him... and if he loses, well, that's just another chapter in his already pretty eventful life 
.
. On one hand, it's pretty clear that Sarkozy and his team did try to get funding from Libya back in the day, so yeah, he should probably face some accountability for it. But on the other hand, he only got a slap on the wrist when he was first convicted – 20 days in prison is basically a vacation for someone like him 
. I guess this appeal is gonna try to flip that script and get him out of the hot seat again, but I'm not sure how much the appeals court is willing to budge...
. hope the Paris appeals court puts an end to all this drama soon 
. what's next for him? another trial or something? 
. I mean, we're not even sure if Sarkozy actually got the cash from Gaddafi or not 
. Meanwhile, his team is already trying to spin it like they're getting a fresh start 
... Newsflash: if you were involved in shady stuff and got off scot-free the first time around, maybe don't try to rebrand yourself now 
. Can we just get some clarity on what really went down here?
the fact that he was released early in the first place is already pretty sus. seems like they're trying to create some kinda controversy again... does anyone really think he didn't get anything from gaddafi? 
, a guy who's served only 20 days for a crime that could've gotten him life... and now he's trying to appeal it all over again? It just seems like a whole lot of drama 
, first it was Gaddafi, now it's who knows what else... and we're all just sitting here waiting for Sarkozy to show up with a briefcase full of cash and a "oops, my bad" face 
. i mean, five years down the drain for 20 days in jail? that's like me eating an entire pizza by myself and calling it a health food plan 
, like what kind of deal did his aides make w/ Gaddafi?!? it sounds super sketchy. i mean we know Sarkozy denied anything but the fact that he got off scot free after 20 days in jail is just wild. I'm rooting for him to get his conviction overturned this time around tho 
, hope he gets some real justice.
.
? Like, I get it, there wasn't conclusive evidence of personal involvement with Gaddafi's cash 
, but still, 5 years is a pretty big sentence! 
#SarkozyTrial #LibyaScandal #JusticeSystem
I mean, we all know he's got a history with shady dealings, but this one takes the cake 
... or should I say, it's going down in history as a major controversy? 
The fact that his initial sentence was cut short and now he's appealing his conviction is just mind-blowing! 
And those allegations of him using funds from Libya to fund his campaign are still up for debate. It's like, did he know about it or not? 
. It's just so annoying when people in power think they can get away with stuff 
. And then you got these two other cases, and now this one too? I don't know how much more drama he can handle 
.