France: Former President Sarkozy was sentenced to prison for corruption

The former strongman of the French right heard the decision, sitting on the bench of the accused, his jaw clenched. He walked out of the courtroom without making a statement.

Criticize a decision surprisingAnd Unjust and unjustHer lawyer, Jacqueline Lafont, immediately announced that she was going In the case of cassation, the appeal suspends all proceedings […] Announce today.

Nicolas Sarkozy, 68, is the first former French president to be sentenced to prison, after his former mentor Jacques Chirac was given a two-year suspended prison sentence in 2011 in a mock work case in the city of Paris.

Attorney Herzog and Judge Azibert were also sentenced

His historic lawyer Thierry Herzog, 67, and former chief justice Gilbert Azibert, 76, were also found guilty of shackling Bribery charter With Nicolas Sarkozy in 2014 and sentenced to the same penalty.

The Court of Appeal also issued a three-year ban on the civil rights of Mr. Sarkozy, disqualifying him, and Mr. Azibert, as well as a three-year ban on Mr. Herzog.

Their lawyers, Anna Herzog and Mr. Azibert, referred to the Court of Cassation.

The Court of Appeal has overridden the requests of the Public Prosecution, which on December 13 demanded a fully suspended three-year prison term against the three defendants – who have always denied any corruption – and thus confirm the sentences handed down on March 1, 2021.

The previous tenant of the Elysee (2007-2012) had disputed it with the greatest strength During the trial appeal these charges, asserting that she had Don’t spoil anyone.

Mr. Sarkozy Use his status as an ex-president […] To serve his personal interestin contrast to the Court of Appeal, a deviation from It requires a firm criminal response.

It was the behavior of Gilbert Azibert Discredited On the career of a judge, emphasized the President of the Court, Sophie Clement. As for Mr. Herzog, he is Khan took his oath as a lawyer.

The phones are listening

This case arose out of telephone objections between Mr. Sarkozy and Mr. Herzog, his lawyer and longtime friend.

At the end of 2013, the investigative judges assigned to investigate suspicions of Libya financing his 2007 presidential campaign decided, communicate Line Nicolas Sarkozy. Then they discover an unofficial third streak.

Purchased Jan 2014 with ID Paul Bismuth — a high school acquaintance of Lee Herzog — which is only intended for exchanges between the two men. For the prosecution, the wiretaps reveal a corruption agreement made with Mr. Azibert, who was general counsel at the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the French judiciary.

In these plays, broadcast for the first time during the appeals trial, Nicolas Sarkozy, who was awaiting a cassation decision in the Bettencourt case, pledges for financing magistrate or make steps in his favour.

The former president was charged once Exploit vulnerability About L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt: he finally benefited in 2013 with a dismissal In the absence of sufficient fees.

of the Court, M Azibert, vs. A reinforces For an honorary position in Monaco, he tried to influence the appeal of Mr. Sarkozy. Admittedly, the measures taken did not bring the expected success.but This case, however, involves some seriousness.She said.

Under strong judicial pressure, Nicolas Sarkozy will be retried on appeal in the fall in the case of illegal financing of his 2012 presidential campaign. He was sentenced to one year in prison in September 2021.

He is also threatened with a third high-profile trial: the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday requested that he be referred to correctional facilities in the case of suspected Libyan financing of his 2007 election campaign. The decision is up to investigative judges.