Nicolas Sarkozy given five-year prison sentence after Libya trial
Former French president found guilty of criminal conspiracy after being accused of pact with Gaddafi regime
The former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been given a five-year prison sentence after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a trial in which he and aides were accused of making a corruption pact with the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to receive funding for the 2007 French presidential election campaign.
In a surprise ruling, the head judge, Nathalie Gavarino, handed down a special form of sentence that means Sarkozy will have to serve a prison term even if he appeals.