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France’s Top Court Makes Sarkozy’s 2012 Campaign-Finance Conviction Final

The ruling leaves a six-month term to be enforced through measures set by a judge, such as electronic monitoring at home.

Overview

  • France’s Court of Cassation upheld the appeals ruling in the Bygmalion case, making Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2012 campaign-finance conviction definitive with no further domestic appeal.
  • The one-year sentence stands with six months suspended, and judges will determine how the remaining six months are served under alternatives to incarceration.
  • Prosecutors said the 2012 campaign spent about €42.8–€43 million against a €22.5 million cap by concealing costs through events arranged with PR firm Bygmalion.
  • Sarkozy denies criminal responsibility, and his lawyers say they are considering an application to the European Court of Human Rights.
  • He remains under judicial supervision in a separate Libya-related case after 20 days in La Santé prison, with an appeals trial scheduled from March 16 to June 3.