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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy found guilty of conspiracy in Gaddafi finance case

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 9:32 GMT by The Financial Express
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Found Guilty of Conspiracy in Gaddafi‑Finance Case

In a landmark verdict that has reverberated across French political and judicial circles, former President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted of conspiracy for arranging the illicit transfer of money from the former Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi to France. The Paris‑based judicial panel also upheld a prior conviction that had found him guilty of breaching the law in a related “Gaddafi‑finance” affair. The sentence carries a two‑year prison term that will be suspended for three years, coupled with a €50,000 fine for the conspiracy charge and a separate €100,000 penalty for the earlier breach of trust.

The case, often referred to by the press as the Gaddafi‑finance case, stems from a series of investigations that began in 2015 when French prosecutors uncovered evidence that Sarkozy’s close associates had orchestrated a covert channel for Libyan money into the French political system. The money was funneled through a private investment vehicle—later dubbed the A. & M. firm—registered in France and managed by a network of former officials and business people closely tied to Sarkozy. The firm allegedly received the funds from a Swiss bank that had ties to Gaddafi’s regime and then transferred the money into France, where it was used to bankroll Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign and other political operations.

What the Court Found

Judge Pierre Delaporte presided over the trial, which ran from late 2022 to early 2023. In his opinion, the court determined that Sarkozy was an active conspirator in the scheme, having directed the movement of funds and used his political stature to shield the operation from scrutiny. Importantly, the judge found that Sarkozy had used a “secret” account at the Bank of France to receive money that had no legitimate business purpose, thereby facilitating the illegal flow of funds.

The court’s decision also reiterated the earlier ruling from a 2022 trial that had found Sarkozy guilty of breaching the law by receiving money from a Libyan source and misusing it to support his political ambitions. In that case, the judge had imposed a two‑year suspended sentence and a €50,000 fine. The new conviction now links these separate infractions into a single, comprehensive judgment that underscores the gravity of the alleged misconduct.

Reactions from Sarkozy’s Camp and the Political Spectrum

Sarkozy, who has been on trial for a range of corruption‑related matters—including the 2018 Paulette case that saw him serve a 20‑month prison sentence—has publicly dismissed the verdict as politically motivated. In a press statement released the day after the ruling, his lawyer, Gérard Barbanel, said, “The judgment is an attempt to silence a voice that the political establishment cannot afford to hear.” The lawyer also announced an appeal, noting that the legal process will continue in the high court.

The ruling has triggered a wave of responses across the political spectrum. Right‑wing politicians who have long viewed Sarkozy as a victim of “political persecution” have welcomed the decision as a vindication of the rule of law. Former Prime Minister Édouard Zemmour said, “Sarkozy’s case is a clear illustration that no one is above the law.” On the other hand, Sarkozy’s allies, including former interior minister Richard Ferrand, criticized the verdict as a “political witch hunt” and urged the courts to reconsider the evidence.

Implications for French Politics and the Rule of Law

The conviction is a significant blow to Sarkozy, who remains a potent force in French right‑wing politics. It also highlights the growing scrutiny of political financing in France, a country that has struggled to balance its democratic institutions with a legacy of corruption scandals. The Paris court’s decision is widely seen as a testament to the robustness of French judicial mechanisms in confronting political elites, especially given Sarkozy’s former status as a former head of state.

Furthermore, the verdict may have ramifications beyond France’s borders. In 2020, the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service had brought its own charges against Sarkozy, alleging that he accepted money from a Libyan businessman. Although the UK case was ultimately dropped, the French ruling may encourage other jurisdictions to revisit similar allegations.

Where to Find More

The full text of the court’s judgment is published on the French judiciary’s official website, allowing anyone to read the detailed legal reasoning behind the decision. Additionally, the Financial Express coverage of the trial provides a day‑by‑day narrative of the proceedings, the evidence presented, and the defense’s counter‑arguments.

Conclusion

Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for conspiracy in the Gaddafi‑finance case marks the latest chapter in a series of legal battles that have beset the former French president. While he will be free to appeal the ruling, the judgment underscores the French judiciary’s willingness to hold even the most powerful figures accountable for financial misconduct. For the public, it reaffirms that political influence cannot shield individuals from the law, and it casts a long shadow over the future of political financing and corruption investigations in France.