Sarkozy's Corruption Conviction Upheld by Court

The French Court of Cassation has upheld a three-year prison sentence for former President Nicolas Sarkozy, marking the first definitive prison sentence for a former French president. Sarkozy's conviction for corruption and influence peddling, which includes one year of house arrest monitored by an electronic bracelet, stems from his attempts to bribe a judge for confidential information regarding investigations into his 2007 campaign finances. Following the ruling, Sarkozy announced plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming a denial of his rights by French judges. Additionally, he faces a new trial in January concerning alleged illegal funding from the Libyan regime for his presidential campaign, which could lead to further significant penalties. Sarkozy continues to assert his innocence despite the multiple convictions, including a separate six-month sentence related to campaign overspending. His legal team remains hopeful for a favorable outcome in the European court that could impact his conviction in France.