Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's trial commenced on Monday, focusing on allegations of illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan government under Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy, who served from 2007 to 2012, maintains his innocence. The trial, expected to last until April 10, involves charges of passive corruption, illegal campaign financing, concealment of embezzlement of public funds, and criminal association, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.
PARIS — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy 's trial started on Monday over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of then- Libya n leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Sarkozy faces charges of passive corruption, illegal campaign financing, concealment of embezzlement of public funds and criminal association, punished by up to 10 years in prison. “There is no Libyan financing of the campaign,” the statement said. “We want to believe the court will have the courage to examine the facts objectively, without being guided by the nebulous theory that poisoned the investigation.”The case emerged in March 2011, when a Libyan news agency reported that the Gadhafi government had financed Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign. In an interview, Gadhafi himself said “it’s thanks to us that he reached the presidency.
Sarkozy strongly rejected the accusations, calling the document a “blatant fake” and filing complaints for forgery, concealment and spreading false news. The investigation gained traction when Takieddine told news site Mediapart in 2016 that he had delivered three suitcases from Libya containing millions in cash to the French Interior Ministry.Since then, a separate investigation has been launched into alleged witness tampering as magistrates suspect an attempt to pressure Takieddine in order to clear Sarkozy.
Other defendants include two Saudi billionaires, a former Airbus executive and a former banker accused of having played a role in the alleged money transfers.
Nicolas Sarkozy Libya Trial Campaign Financing Muammar Gaddafi
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Sarkozy Trial Begins Over Alleged Libyan Campaign FinancingFrench former President Nicolas Sarkozy stands trial for alleged illegal campaign financing from the Libyan government during his 2007 presidential bid.
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