Sarkozy convicted of criminal association in Libyan financing case

A Paris criminal court on Thursday found former French president Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of criminal association in a longrunning case over alleged Libyan financing of his successful 2007 presidential campaign, while acquitting him of other charges including misappropriation of public funds, passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. The 70 year old, who has denied all wrongdoing, faces a sentencing hearing later Thursday and could be handed up to seven years in prison if prosecutors secure the sentence they sought.

Presiding judge Nathalie Gavarino said the court concluded Sarkozy allowed close associates to seek financial support from the regime of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi between 2005 and 2007, a period when he served as interior minister and then campaigned for the presidency. The court found that several of his former allies were also guilty. Claude Guéant, Sarkozy’s former campaign director, was convicted on multiple counts including criminal association, passive corruption, forgery and aggravated money laundering. Former minister Brice Hortefeux was convicted of criminal association and faces accusations of aiding illegal campaign financing. Three...