Prosecutors to announce sentences for Sarkozy in Libya appeal trial
Key takeaways
- Sarkozy became the first modern French president to serve time behind bars after spending three weeks in prison late last year.
- Issued on: 13/05/2026 - 09:20Modified: 13/05/2026 - 09:44
- In exchange, Sarkozy would help restore Gaddafi’s international image after Tripoli was blamed for bombing a plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, as well as another over Niger in 1989, killing hundreds of passengers.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
French prosecutors will announce on Wednesday their requested sentences for former president Nicolas Sarkozy as he appeals his conviction for accepting illegal campaign contributions from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy became the first modern French president to serve time behind bars after spending three weeks in prison late last year.
Issued on: 13/05/2026 - 09:20Modified: 13/05/2026 - 09:44
By: Louise NORDSTROM Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at the appeals courthouse in Paris, France, on March 16, 2026, for his trial over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. © Thibault Camus, AP/File picture Nicolas Sarkozy, 71, is accused of having struck a secret deal with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in the run-up to the 2007 presidential election in which the latter would help him fund his campaign. In exchange, Sarkozy would help restore Gaddafi’s international image after Tripoli was blamed for bombing a plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, as well as another over Niger in 1989, killing hundreds of passengers.