Sarkozy Nicolas (Nicolas Sarkozy)

Sarkozy Nicolas (Nicolas Sarkozy)

Main article: History of France

Biography

2021

3 years in prison for corruption

On March 1, 2021, the court Paris sentenced Nicolas Sarkozy to three years in prison - two years probation and one year in prison. France The former president was convicted of corruption to trade and influence.

In particular, Sarkozy was found guilty of providing protection to ex-Constitutional Court judge Gilbert Aziber in obtaining a post in Monaco in exchange for information about the investigation of illegal receipt of funds for the 2007 presidential campaign by the daughter of the founder of the company L’Oreal , Lilian Betancourt. The verdict emphasizes that the crimes committed have "a special severity, since they were committed by the former president of the republic."

As evidence, the investigation cited recordings of intercepted telephone conversations between Sarkozy and his lawyer in 2013-2014, in which the interlocutors did not give their names. The ex-president's defense insisted that "it was just friendly chatter" and the prosecutor's office had no reason to draw conclusions that Sarkozy hinted at a violation of the laws.

During the trial, Sarkozy categorically denied guilt. His lawyers demanded that all charges be dropped from their client, arguing that the wiretapping was carried out illegally and is a violation of the secrecy of the investigation, since it was about negotiations between the lawyer and the client. At the same time, they referred to the decision of the Council of Europe, prohibiting such interceptions of negotiations of lawyers. The court on Monday rejected that claim.

Previously, none of the leaders of the Fifth Republic after the expiration of their powers ended up in prison. Before Sarkozy, there was only one former head of state on trial - Jacques Chirac. He was found guilty of arranging his friends for fictitious positions when he was mayor of Paris.^[1]

Guilty guilty of exceeding campaign spending

On September 30, 2021, French judges found Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of deliberately overspending in his unsuccessful 2012 re-election campaign, making him the first former president to be convicted France twice of a crime.

A judge sentenced him to one year in prison, but he avoided jail time. The former leader of the French Republic must wear an electronic bracelet for 12 months. If he decides to appeal the verdict, then the punishment will be canceled.

French judges said Sarkozy's election campaign resulted in spending of 42.7 million euros (49.5 million) dollars , about twice as much as allowed by law.

2025: Arrest

The motorcade of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, arrived at the Sante prison in Paris. This was announced in October 2025 by the politician's lawyer Christoph Ingren. According to him, the ex-leader of France will sit in solitary confinement. The defense insisted on this, since Sarkozy received "threats of physical integrity." The former president will be eligible for one hour's walk a day. He will also be allowed to carry radio and writing supplies.^[2]

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