Nicolas Sarkozy back in court for fresh trial over alleged Libya funding

March 16, 2026

TL;DR

Nicolas Sarkozy faces a fresh trial over allegations of conspiring to receive illegal election campaign funding from Libya.
He was previously sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to the alleged scheme.
Sarkozy was released from prison in November pending his appeal and published a book about his time in jail.
The state prosecution accused Sarkozy of making a deal with Gaddafi in 2005 for campaign financing in exchange for supporting the Libyan government.
Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy but acquitted of other charges in the first trial.
He will be tried again on all four counts at the appeal trial, facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The Libyan regime reportedly requested diplomatic, legal, and business favors in return for the campaign money.
Sarkozy invited Gaddafi for a state visit to Paris shortly after becoming president in 2007.
In 2011, France led Nato airstrikes against Gaddafi's troops.
A total of 10 people are facing a retrial on appeal in this case.

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