Sarkozy Faces 10-Year Sentence as Retrial Begins Over "Libyan Funding"
Last update: March 17, 2026
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Sarkozy's appeal trial is set to run until June..
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at the Court of Appeal of Paris on Monday March 16, 2026, for his appeal trial over allegations he conspired and secured illegal campaign funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Footage showed the ex-president in the courtroom with his entourage, followed by the arrivals of jurists and lawyers. The media also packed the hall under heavy police security.
Sarkozy was the first former French president be convicted and jailed. In September, 2025, the Paris criminal court sentenced him to five years for criminal conspiracy over the alleged financing of his 2007 presidential campaign from the then-Libyan government - led by Muammar Gaddafi.
In 2025, Sarkozy was acquitted of corruption, misuse of Libyan public funds and illegal campaign financing.
He faced a full retrial on all four charges and, if convicted, the 71-year-old received a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Sarkozy, who denied any wrongdoing, remained under strict judicial supervision and was banned from leaving France.
