Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is undergoing an official investigation today, Friday, on suspicion of influencing a witness and fraud, as part of an inquiry into whether he received illegal funding from Libya for his successful 2007 election campaign. Sarkozy has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is set to stand trial in 2025 on charges of unlawfully accepting Libyan funds. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.
A spokesperson for the prosecution stated that Sarkozy is accused in the latest investigation of attempting to influence a witness and engaging in criminal conspiracy to commit fraud. Sarkozy appeared before a judge on Tuesday in an investigation that began in May 2021, following claims by Lebanese-French businessman Ziad Takieddine in media interviews where he contradicted his previous narrative that he had delivered Libyan funding to assist Sarkozy.
Sarkozy continues to deny the allegations and remains a significant figure in French politics, even though he is no longer holding any elected office. He stated during an interview in 2018, "There is not the slightest evidence of that." The conservative former president, who served from 2007 to 2012, could face a prison sentence of up to ten years if convicted in this case. He is also involved in other legal matters.
