France Condemns Former President Sarkozy in Gaddafi Funding Case

A criminal court in Paris has convicted former French President Nicolas Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy in a case where he was accused of receiving illegal funding from former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential campaign.

Conviction and Acquittal Details

The court, while acquitting the 70-year-old Sarkozy of other charges including corruption, found him guilty of criminal conspiracy. The court's president, Nathalie Gavarino, explained that the former president was convicted for "allowing his top aides to act to obtain financial support" from the Libyan regime.

The court also convicted two of Sarkozy's former top aides, Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux, in the same case. Guéant was convicted of passive corruption and forgery, while Hortefeux was convicted of criminal conspiracy.

Appeals and Political Future

Sarkozy can appeal the conviction, which would suspend the sentence pending the appeal process. The case dates back to accusations that Sarkozy made a deal with Gaddafi in 2005, when he was Interior Minister, to secure funding for his election campaign in exchange for supporting the then-internationally isolated Libyan government.

Despite his repeated legal troubles and the revocation of his Legion of Honour in June, Sarkozy remains an influential figure in French politics. He has consistently denied the charges against him, calling them politically motivated.