The national financial prosecutor's office (PNF) alleged that Sarkozy, with aides Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux, entered a corruption pact with Muammar Gaddafi's government to obtain covert funds for his 2007 presidential campaign, passed through intermediary Ziad Takieddine, in exchange for favours. On appeal the prosecution sought seven years, a fine of 300,000 euros and five years of ineligibility.
18 December 2024 to today · 7 dated events · 9 sources
Where it stands now · as of 30 October 2026
As of 30 October 2026 Sarkozy is free under judicial supervision, his first-instance conviction for criminal conspiracy is under appeal, and the Paris Court of Appeal is due to rule on 30 November 2026.
Next date 30 November 2026 Paris Court of Appeal decision
Overview · 18 Dec 2024 to 27 May 2026 · click a dot to jump
2024
18 Dec 2024
Turning point
Ruling
Rejection of appeals in the wiretapping (Bismuth) case (as reported by Public Sénat)
Context only. Made final a sentence of three years, one year to be served under electronic monitoring, and three years of ineligibility for corruption and influence peddling.
Paris criminal court convicts Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy and imposes five years
Judgment in the Libyan financing case (as reported by Le Club des Juristes). Convicted Sarkozy of association de malfaiteurs and acquitted him of passive corruption, embezzlement of Libyan public funds and illegal campaign financing. Sentenced him to five years' imprisonment with a deferred committal order and provisional enforcement, a fine of 100,000 euros and deprivation of his civil and civic rights. Guéant and Hortefeux were also convicted.
Paris Court of Appeal orders his release under judicial supervision pending appeal
Decision on request for release pending appeal (as reported by AFP via Paris Match Belgique and by Il Sole 24 Ore). Ordered his release from La Santé prison under judicial supervision pending the appeal trial, after about 20 days in custody, with a ban on leaving France and on contact with co-defendants and with the Justice Minister. The parquet général had supported release under judicial supervision.
Appeal hearings close and decision is reserved to 2026-11-30
Close of appeal hearings (as reported by Euronews). Decision reserved until 30 November 2026. The appeal covers criminal conspiracy, illegal campaign financing, receiving embezzled Libyan public funds and corruption.
Last updated 30 October 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.