"Prosecutors argued that the former conservative leader and his aides devised a pact with Kadhafi in 2005 to illegally fund Sarkozy's victorious presidential election bid two years later. They also requested that the 70-year-old pay a fine of €300,000 and be handed a five-year ban on holding office. Even if convicted, Sarkozy is likely to appeal, and it is doubtful that he would be sent to prison immediately."
"Prosecutors allege that Sarkozy and senior figures entered a "corruption pact" to help Kadhafi rehabilitate his international image in return for campaign financing. Tripoli had been blamed by the West for bombing Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland and UTA Flight 772 over Niger in 1989, killing hundreds of passengers. Eleven others were charged alongside Sarkozy, including his former right-hand man, Claude Gueant, his then-head of campaign financing, Eric Woerth, and former minister Brice Hortefeux, all of whom deny the charges."
Nicolas Sarkozy faces a verdict in a trial alleging he accepted illegal campaign financing from Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with prosecutors demanding seven years' imprisonment. Prosecutors claim Sarkozy and aides arranged a 2005 pact to secure Libyan funds for the successful 2007 presidential campaign. The prosecutors also seek a €300,000 fine and a five-year ban on holding office. Eleven co-defendants face charges with penalties ranging up to six years' jail and fines to €4 million. Evidence cited includes statements from seven former Libyan dignitaries, trips to Libya by senior aides, and financial traces. Sarkozy denies receiving any Libyan money and is expected to appeal.
Read at The Local France
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