The Court of Cassation, the highest court in France, on Wednesday confirmed the conviction of former president Nicolas Sarkozy for corruption and illegal influence, writes A2 CNN. Sarkozy had appealed his 2021 conviction for corruption and influence peddling, where he was given a three-year prison sentence. Two of those years were suspended, while for the final year Sarkozy will wear an electronic bracelet instead of going to jail.
Sarkozy, a conservative who remains an important figure in French politics even after leaving office in 2012, was found guilty by a lower court of trying to bribe a judge and exert illegal influence in exchange for confidential information about with an investigation into his 2007 campaign finances.
The court found that Sarkozy had conspired to secure a job in Monaco for a judge in exchange for inside information on an investigation into allegations that he had accepted illegal payments from L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt.
The judge, Gilbert Azibert, was also found guilty of corruption and undue influence.
Sarkozy is expected to stand trial next year on charges of corruption and illegal financing related to the alleged Libyan financing of his successful 2007 presidential campaign. Sarkozy denies all charges.
If found guilty in the Libyan case, Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison.
Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, also a conservative, is the only other president in modern French history to have been convicted by a court. Chirac was found guilty of corruption in 2011, four years after leaving office. (A2 Televizion)
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