• Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to five years for criminal conspiracy related to Libyan funding of his 2007 campaign.
• The court acquitted him of several other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing.
• This marks the first time a former French president will serve time in prison for a criminal conviction.

On September 25, 2025, a Paris court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy, tied to allegations of receiving illegal campaign financing from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during his 2007 presidential bid. The court noted that Sarkozy permitted his close aides to pursue financing discussions with Libyan officials, although it found no proof that any funds actually benefited his campaign, according to Reuters, Le Monde, and France 24.

Sarkozy was acquitted of charges including corruption and illegal financing. The presiding judge classified his actions as criminal conspiracy, asserting that they undermined public trust in the political system. The ruling reflects a significant moment in French history, marking the first time a former president will serve a prison sentence, notes BBC, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.

In a defiant statement, Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife, singer Carla Bruni, denounced the verdict as a "scandal" and affirmed his intention to appeal the decision, promising to fight for his innocence, according to Reuters, Dawn, and TRT Global.

The trial has heightened tensions within French politics, with figures from both the left and right rallying around the implications of the conviction. While Sarkozy's allies argue that the ruling is indicative of judicial bias, political opponents view it as a necessary affirmation of accountability in political finance, as highlighted by Le Monde, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

In a broader context, Sarkozy's conviction comes amid ongoing investigations into various alleged financial wrongdoings not solely limited to this case. His legal troubles may continue to evolve as other cases involving corruption and electoral financing remain pending, according to Le Monde, Le Monde, and Reuters.