THE trial of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy over allegedly garnering illegal campaign funds from Libya is set to conclude after three months.
The closing arguments from the 70-year-old’s defence lawyers are expected, with the verdict to be announced later. Sarkozy faces charges of embezzlement of public funds, bribery and illegal campaign financing.
It is alleged that millions of euros from the regime of now-deceased Libyan ruler Moamer Gaddafi were funnelled into Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign.
The conservative politician, who served as French president from 2007 to 2012, rejects the accusations.
According to the prosecution, however, there was an agreement with Gaddafi to finance Sarkozy’s campaign.
The financial prosecutor’s office has called for a seven-year prison sentence, a 300,000 euros (327,953 dollars) fine and the revocation of Sarkozy’s voting rights for five years.
Sarkozy has already been convicted in two other unrelated cases.
The case heavily relied on testimony from French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, who alleged that in late 2006 or early 200.
He delivered several suitcases prepared by the Libyan regime containing millions of euros to the French Interior Ministry, then led by Sarkozy.
In return, the then-isolated Libyan regime was allegedly promised lucrative deals with French companies and assistance in regaining international recognition.
Gaddafi was received with military honours at the Élysée Palace in December 2007.
But by 2011, the Libyan leader was toppled in part thanks to Sarkozy
