Former French president risks 10-year sentence as retrial gets underway

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday, March 17, reaffirmed his innocence as he appeared in court for an appeal trial over allegations that he sought financial support from Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign.

“I am innocent, I have committed no act of corruption, either directly or indirectly,” Sarkozy stated in his first remarks during the proceedings, which formally began on Monday.

The case has already marked a historic moment in modern France, making Sarkozy the first former president to serve time in prison. Following his initial conviction, he spent 20 days in custody last year.

A lower court in September found the 71-year-old right-wing politician—who served as president from 2007 to 2012—guilty of attempting to secure campaign financing from Libya under former leader Muammar Gaddafi. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

After the ruling, Sarkozy entered a prison in Paris in October, serving 20 days before being released pending the outcome of his appeal.

Under the French legal system, the appeal process effectively constitutes a full retrial, with judges re-examining all evidence and witness testimony. As a result, Sarkozy is once again presumed innocent during the proceedings.

The trial is scheduled to continue until June 3, with a verdict expected in the autumn. If convicted again, Sarkozy could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Since leaving office, Sarkozy has faced multiple legal challenges and has already received two final convictions in separate cases.

By Tamilla Hasanova