Libyan case: court finds former French president partially guilty

The court found Sarkozy guilty of participating in a criminal conspiracy in 2005-2007, but acquitted him of charges of embezzlement of public funds and passive corruption, BFMTV reports.

The court concluded that there was no illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.

Prosecutors sought a seven-year prison sentence for Sarkozy, a fine of €300,000, and a five-year ban on holding public office. The sentence has not yet been announced.

In addition to Sarkozy, 11 other people are involved in the case, including former members of the government.

Sarkozy's former chief of staff, Claude Guéant (for whom this is not the first conviction), was found guilty of passive corruption for accepting €500,000, as well as forging documents and influence peddling.

Former minister Brice Hortefeux was found guilty of participating in a criminal conspiracy but acquitted on other charges.

Businessman Alexandre Jukri, who acted as an intermediary between Sarkozy's entourage and Gaddafi, was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling.

One of the key figures in the case, businessman Ziad Takieddine, died suddenly this week at the age of 75.

Photo: Glavkom.