Libya ‘corruption pact’: Sarkozy returns to court as his former right-hand man turns against him
Key takeaways
- Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was back in court Wednesday to answer questions regarding documents written by Claude Guéant, his onetime right-hand man and former interior minister.
- By: FRANCE 24 Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at the Paris Court of Appeals on April 7, 2026.
- Now 81, Guéant was excused from attending court proceedings due to health matters.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was back in court Wednesday to answer questions regarding documents written by Claude Guéant, his onetime right-hand man and former interior minister. Guéant’s statements – and Sarkozy’s denials – are the latest chapter in a public falling-out as Sarkozy appeals his conviction for illegally accepting Libyan funds for his 2007 presidential campaign.
By: FRANCE 24 Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at the Paris Court of Appeals on April 7, 2026. © Kenzo Tribouillard, AFP Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy returned to the witness stand on Wednesday to be questioned about two sworn written statements from Claude Guéant, his former friend who served as chief of staff, secretary-general, and eventually interior minister during his administration.
Now 81, Guéant was excused from attending court proceedings due to health matters.