In mid-February, the Paris Court of Appeal decided to sentence Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of the French Republic, to six months in prison (he also received an additional suspended sentence of six months). According to the verdict, the politician committed illegal campaign financing back in 2012, using a PR company to conceal the true extent of his presidential campaign expenses. Sarkozy’s lawyer claimed his client to be innocent and will therefore appeal to the Supreme Court. The proceedings could take years, during which Sarkozy can retain his liberty. The politician hastily left the courtroom after the verdict had been announced, refusing to speak to the press.
However, this was not the first sentence made against him. Earlier, Sarkozy was sentenced to three years (only one of which is to be served) for illegally obtaining information from a judge in exchange for various favours. However, instead of going to jail, the politician can serve the sentence in home detention with an ankle monitor. Investigations are underway against Sarkozy in several other cases, as the politician allegedly accepted illegal funds from Russia as well as the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi.
From mediocre student to political prodigy