Former French president’s imprisonment date set for October

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of France, has been sentenced to five years in prison, with a deferred detention order, for criminal conspiracy in connection to the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by Libyan sources.

According to sources close to the case, Sarkozy is scheduled to appear before the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office on October 13, where the precise date for the commencement of his imprisonment will be determined, France Info reports.

The Paris Criminal Court handed down the initial sentence, emphasizing the severity of the charges related to illicit campaign funding.

In response to the conviction, far-right leader Marine Le Pen expressed concern over the broader implications of the ruling, stating, “The generalization of provisional execution represents a great danger.”

Under French law, imprisonment must commence within a maximum period of four months following the sentencing. However, Sarkozy, who is now 70 years old, retains the right to request conditional release on the grounds of his age and health. Despite announcing his intention to appeal the verdict, legal experts note that this procedural step will not delay his incarceration while awaiting the outcome of the appeal process.

Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

The Paris criminal court acquitted him of all other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.

The ruling means he will spend time in jail even if he launches an appeal, which Sarkozy says he intends to do.

Speaking after hearing, Sarkozy, who was president from 2007-2012, said the verdict was "extremely serious for rule of law".

By Vafa Guliyeva