Investigation into Nicolas Sarkozy not due to hatred', his prosecutor says

"Sarkozy was last week sentenced to five years in prison after a court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy over a scheme to get election campaign funds from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. He said after the verdict that the hatred towards him definitely has no limits. Sarkozy, who denied wrongdoing and has appealed, will be informed next month when he is to begin his jail sentence."

"The judge, Nathalie Gavarino, handed down a special form of sentence that means Sarkozy, 70, will have to begin serving his prison term even if he appeals. She justified the move on the grounds that the offences were of exceptional gravity and likely to undermine citizens' trust. Since delivering her verdict last week, Gavarino, the head judge at the three-month trial of Sarkozy and 11 others, has received death threats and messages threatening her with serious violence."

France's top prosecutor for financial crimes denied that the investigation into Nicolas Sarkozy over alleged Libyan campaign funding was driven by hatred, stating the rule of law guides actions. Sarkozy was sentenced to five years after a court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy over funds from Muammar Gaddafi's regime. He denied wrongdoing, appealed, and will be told next month when to begin his jail term. The presiding judge imposed a special sentence requiring immediate incarceration despite appeal, citing exceptional gravity and potential to undermine public trust. The judge has since received death threats, prompting investigations and public condemnations defending judicial independence.

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