Paris: French prosecutors requested on Thursday a seven-year prison sentence for former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is facing charges of accepting illegal campaign funding from the regime of now-deceased Libyan ruler Moamer Gaddafi.
The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office also asked the Paris court to fine Sarkozy €300,000 ($324,000).
Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, rejects the charges, which also include embezzling public funds and bribery.
Prosecutors allege that millions in illicit cash were funnelled into Sarkozy’s successful 2007 presidential election campaign in exchange for political favours, including lucrative deals with French companies. Additionally, in exchange for the alleged payments, efforts would be made to restore Libya’s standing on the global stage, as the country was ostracised at the time. (DPA)
