Sarkozy Denies Libya Funds in 2007 Campaign Appeal

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed his innocence Tuesday at an appeals court hearing in Paris, denying that any funds from Libya financed his successful 2007 presidential campaign. The 71-year-old politician, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, is challenging a September conviction for criminal conspiracy that resulted in a five-year prison sentence. He served 20 days in custody before his release pending the appeal.

Sarkozy told a three-judge panel that he owed the truth to the French people and insisted, "I'm innocent." He described the case against him as a fabrication driven by lies and political motives, emphasizing that not a single cent from the Libyan government under Moammar Gadhafi entered his campaign coffers. Prosecutors have alleged that Sarkozy and his associates sought covert funding from Gaddafi between 2005 and 2007 in exchange for political and diplomatic favors, including efforts to improve Libya's international standing after it accepted responsibility for two deadly plane bombings in the late 1980s.

The appeals trial, which began last month and is scheduled to continue until June 3, involves Sarkozy and nine co-defendants, including...