France’s highest court upheld the 2021 conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy on charges of corruption and influence peddling. The Court of Cassation issued its decision on Wednesday, December 18, 2023. Sarkozy had previously appealed this conviction, which resulted in a three-year prison sentence. Out of the three years, two were suspended, meaning he will wear an electronic monitoring bracelet instead of serving prison time for the remaining year.
Sarkozy’s legal representative, Patrick Spinosi, confirmed the former president plans to appeal the verdict to the European Court of Human Rights. “The challenge I will be bringing to the European Court of Human Rights may, alas, lead to a condemnation against France,” Sarkozy wrote on his social media. He added, “I want to once again state I am clearly innocent.” Spinosi confirmed Sarkozy will comply with the court’s ruling and wear the electronic tag.
The conviction centers around Sarkozy's actions during his presidency from 2007 to 2012. A lower court found him guilty of attempting to bribe Judge Gilbert Azibert and peddling influence to obtain confidential information about an investigation surrounding his 2007 campaign finances. Specifically, Sarkozy had conspired to secure Azibert’s appointment for a plush job in Monaco, exchanging favors for inside information about inquiries related to allegations of illegal payments from L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt.
Judge Azibert was also found guilty of corruption and influence peddling. This verdict puts Sarkozy among the few high-ranking officials to face judicial consequences for corruption within France, making him only the second president to be convicted of such charges after his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who was found guilty of corruption four years after leaving office.
Following the Court of Cassation's ruling on Wednesday, Sarkozy faces additional legal battles. He is set to stand trial next year for allegations concerning illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign, where it is claimed he received substantial funding from the Libyan government. If convicted, Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison for these charges.
Sarkozy's previous legal issues stemmed from multiple corruption scandals during his presidency, often involving wealthy backers and accusations of financial wrongdoing. The so-called "Bismuth" case, leading to his latest conviction, was initially uncovered through wiretaps dating back to February 2014, when investigators were probing the financing of Sarkozy’s campaign. These wiretaps revealed communications between Sarkozy and his lawyer, Thierry Herzog, using secret lines registered to the alias "Paul Bismuth". Prosecutors believed the pair offered Judge Azibert this job in return for inside information, which, under French law, was considered corrupt actions even if the judge was not appointed to the position.
Upon reflection, Sarkozy described the court's decision as part of what he termed "a deep injustice" and signaled his intent not to relent, stating through his lawyer he would utilize all legal means to assert his innocence. “A sad day when a former president is required to take action before European judges to question his own state's decision,” Spinosi noted, highlighting the weight of the situation.
Despite facing these serious charges, Sarkozy has maintained considerable influence within French political circles. Although he left office after losing the 2012 election, he remains a prominent figure among conservatives and is known to have significant interactions with current President Emmanuel Macron, which adds complexity to his enduring political presence.
While Sarkozy's legal circumstances create challenges for his political career, he insists on maintaining his innocence across various charges, all of which he describes as unfounded. His upcoming trials, particularly concerning allegations of Libyan financial involvement, are positioned to shape the next phases of his already tumultuous life post-presidency. The specter of potential imprisonment looms, raising questions about the fate of one of modern France’s most recognized political figures.
This situation is unprecedented, marking the first time in modern history where it is recorded of a former French president serving such sentencing for corruption. Sarkozy's conviction serves as stark reminder of the legal and ethical measures imposed on public officials, loud echoes of which resonate throughout political spheres far beyond France's borders.
Whether Sarkozy's appeals will prove successful at the European Court of Human Rights or if he will have to face the consequences of his actions remains to be seen, but this case certainly adds another chapter to France's complex narrative of political integrity and accountability.
