Overview
- Defence lawyers for Nicolas Sarkozy began their plea in the appeal, reiterating his denial of any Libyan campaign funding and arguing there is no evidence a single euro from Libya went to his 2007 campaign.
- Prosecutors asked the appeals court to increase Sarkozy’s punishment to seven years in jail and again sought six years for former interior minister Claude Guéant for charges including corruption and illegal campaign financing.
- Courtroom testimony revealed fresh contradictions between Sarkozy’s account and those of his co-defendants, changing the evidentiary landscape of the appeal and sharpening disputes over who knew what and when.
- Prosecutors say the case centers on an alleged quid pro quo in which Sarkozy and aides tried to lift the arrest warrant for Abdallah Senoussi, a convicted Gaddafi-era security official, in exchange for campaign support.
- Sarkozy was convicted at first instance and given five years with immediate enforcement, he served 20 days in jail, and the appeals court is expected to hand down its decision in November which could carry major legal and political consequences.