Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years for Libya Corruption Case Involving Presidential Campaign Funding

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a scheme to finance his 2007 presidential campaign with Libyan funds through Italian businessman Bruno Langenstein and the Milan-based private bank Mediolanum. The conviction stemmed from allegations that Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign was funded by bribes received by Langenstein, who was involved in a separate corruption case. Sarkozy will also be fined €100 million as part of his sentence. The verdict marked a rare conviction for a former head of state in France.