Top French court upholds former president Nicolas Sarkozy's conviction in corruption case

France’s highest court, the Cour de Cassation, upheld on Wednesday the conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy for corruption and influence peddling.

Sarkozy had challenged a 2021 verdict that sentenced him to three years in prison, two of which were suspended. For the remaining year, Sarkozy would serve his sentence under electronic monitoring instead of being imprisoned as is the case for any sentence of two years or less.

The former president, who left office in 2012, was found guilty of attempting to bribe a judge and using his influence to obtain confidential information about an investigation into the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.

According to the court, Sarkozy had conspired to help a judge, Gilbert Azibert, secure a position in Monaco in return for inside information about the probe. Azibert was also convicted of corruption and influence peddling in the case.

Patrice Spinosi, Nicolas Sarkozy's lawyer, said that Sarkozy plans to appeal the ruling to the European Court of Human Rights.

Spinosi also said that while Sarkozy will comply with the decision, which requires him to wear an electronic bracelet, he will continue to pursue all legal avenues to establish his innocence.

Sarkozy is set to face trial next year on charges of corruption and illegal financing linked to allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign received funding from Libya. Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing. If convicted in the Libya case, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Before Sarkozy, Jacques Chirac, another former president, was the only French head of state in modern history to be convicted by a court. Chirac was found guilty of corruption in 2011, four years after his presidency ended.