French prosecutors seek to increase ex-president's prison term

The French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) has filed an appeal against the verdict handed down to former President Nicolas Sarkozy, BFMTV reports.

A Paris court sentenced Sarkozy to five years in prison for “criminal association” in connection with the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign involving Libya. The sentence includes a “default execution mandate,” allowing immediate imprisonment despite the right to appeal.

The court justified this decision by citing the “exceptional seriousness of the facts” and the severity of the penalty. Sarkozy expressed outrage at the measure, stating that “nothing justified it other than an intent to humiliate.”

The appeal affects not only Sarkozy’s conviction but also the verdicts against other figures in the case, including Brice Hortefeux and Claude Guéant. In addition, the PNF is challenging the parts of the ruling where Sarkozy was acquitted of several charges, including corruption, illegal campaign financing, and concealment.

Initially, prosecutors had sought a seven-year prison term for Sarkozy, a five-year ban from holding office, and a fine of €300,000. The former president is scheduled to meet with the prosecution on October 13 to finalise the details of his incarceration, including date and location.

Even with the appeal underway, Sarkozy is set to begin serving his sentence immediately, as the default execution ruling allows for immediate enforcement.

By Khagan Isayev