Nicolas Sarkozy is the first French president in modern history to face actual prison time rather than a suspended sentence. The Paris Criminal Court acquitted Sarkozy on other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. He was also fined 100,000 euro ($117,084) and barred from running for public office for five years. The decision “clearly demonstrates that those involved in financial and corrupt schemes can be punished,” said Sandra Cossart, director of Sherpa, an anti-corruption group.
Source: OCCRP, 2025-09-30; https://www.occrp.org/en/news/ex-french-president-sarkozy-gets-5-years-in-prison-in-libya-corruption-case