Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s appeal against his corruption conviction has been denied.
However, the Paris Court of Appeals ruled that he could serve his sentence at home by donning a tag.
In a separate case, Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison in 2021, with two suspended, for attempting to influence a judge.
The 68-year-old was the first former president of France to receive a prison sentence.
Following Wednesday’s judgment, Sarkozy’s attorney stated that she would file a new appeal with France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.
“Nicolas Sarkozy is innocent,” stated attorney Jacqueline Laffont. We will see this through to the end.
In 2014, after he had left office, the former president was convicted of attempting to obtain information about a case by offering the judge a prestigious position.
A three-year prohibition on holding public office has been placed on him.
This is one of several corruption cases involving Nicolas Sarkozy, who denies misconduct.
Prosecutors demanded his trial this month on suspicions that the Libyan government illegally funded his 2007 presidential campaign. However, investigating magistrates have the final say on whether or not a case should proceed to prosecution.
Until 2014, Nicolas Sarkozy served as president for a single five-year term. During a presidency overshadowed by the global financial crisis, he enacted strict anti-immigration policies and sought to reform France’s economy.
Critics dubbed him “bling-bling” because they perceived his leadership style to be too brash, celebrity-focused, and hyperactive for a position steeped in tradition and majesty.
