Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been definitively found guilty of corruption. He appealed his conviction up to the country’s highest court, but his conviction was upheld, and he is sentenced to wear an electronic bracelet for one year.
Sarkozy becomes the first former head of state in France to receive such a sentence. Despite claiming innocence, Sarkozy stated on X that he refuses to accept this “unprecedented injustice.” His lawyer plans to bring the case to the European Court of Human Rights within weeks.
Nevertheless, the sentence takes immediate effect. In 2021, Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended.
Instead of serving one year in prison, he is allowed to serve his sentence at home under the condition of wearing an ankle bracelet to monitor his movements. In 2014, Sarkozy requested favors from a senior legal official, allegedly promising a job in Monaco in exchange for information.
The Paris court ruled three years ago that it was an attempt at bribery, and the same verdict was reached in the 2023 appeal. Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, maintains there is no hard evidence against him and accuses the judges of bias.
Source: NOS