Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years; Appeal May Delay Jail

A Paris court found former president Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of criminal association/conspiracy for seeking Libyan funding for his 2007 campaign and acquitted him of other counts including passive corruption and receiving stolen public funds. The court sentenced the 70-year-old to five years in prison and ordered a €100,000 fine. Reporting differed on enforcement: a judge said incarceration could begin even if he appeals, while other outlets said the timing would be decided later and an appeal can suspend enforcement. Judges indicated they believed close aides conspired to obtain Libyan money but were not fully convinced Sarkozy personally directed or used those funds; several co-defendants, including former ministers Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux, were also convicted. Sarkozy denies wrongdoing, attended the hearing with his wife Carla Bruni and their three sons, and retains the right to appeal.