French prosecutors on Wednesday ask that former President Nicolas Sarkozy receive a seven-year prison sentence in an appeal trial over charges related to Libya-linked campaign financing. The case concerns allegations that Sarkozy sought Libyan financial support for his 2007 presidential election. Prosecutors characterize Sarkozy as the driving force behind an alleged arrangement in which help would be provided to improve Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s international image in exchange for campaign funding. Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing. He has argued that the allegations are unfounded, and the legal process continues at the appellate stage.
Last year, Sarkozy became the first former French president in modern times to be jailed in this matter. He was detained for 20 days before being released pending the appeal trial. The hearing on Wednesday focuses on the prosecutors’ request for a seven-year term, which is presented as a response to the charges addressed in the lower-court decision.
