"The court sentenced the 70-year-old Sarkozy to five years in prison. Sarkozy can appeal against the guilty verdict, which would suspend any sentence pending the appeal. Prosecutors had argued for a seven-year prison sentence. Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife, the singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was present in the courtroom, which was also filled with reporters and members of the public. Sarkozy sat in the front row of the defendants' seats. His three adult sons were also in the room."
"With the verdict, Sarkozy becomes the first former French president found guilty of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office. Sarkozy, who was elected in 2007 but lost his bid for re-election in 2012, denied all wrongdoing during a three-month trial that also involved 11 co-defendants, including three former ministers. Despite multiple legal scandals that have clouded his presidential legacy, Sarkozy remains an influential figure in right-wing politics in France and in entertainment circles, by virtue of his marriage to Bruni-Sarkozy."
Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office. He can appeal the guilty verdict, which would suspend any sentence pending the appeal. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year prison term. Sarkozy attended the courtroom with his wife, singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and his three adult sons, and sat in the front row amid reporters and members of the public. He denied all wrongdoing during a three-month trial that involved 11 co-defendants, including three former ministers. Despite multiple legal scandals, Sarkozy remains an influential figure in right-wing French politics and entertainment circles.
Read at Irish Independent
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