Commemorations of the 106th anniversary of the First World War armistice in Paris
The Court of Cassation on Wednesday rejected the appeal filed by former President Nicolas Sarkozy against his conviction by the Paris Court of Appeal to three years in prison, including one year, for corruption and influence peddling in the case called “tapping”.
Nicolas Sarkozy, who has constantly rejected the accusations against him, announced through his lawyer that he would file an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights in the coming weeks.
“I will assume my responsibilities and face all its consequences (…) But I am not decided to accept the profound injustice done to me,” declared the former president on X, reaffirming his “perfect innocence”.
Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted on appeal in May 2023 for active corruption against a magistrate and active influence peddling against a person holding public authority for having promised in 2014 to help Gilbert Azibert, at the time a judge at the Court of Cassation , to obtain an honorary position in Monaco. In exchange, Gilbert Azibert had to provide Nicolas Sarkozy with confidential information on a procedure he had initiated with the Court of Cassation.
The investigation was based in particular on a series of telephone conversations between Nicolas Sarkozy and his lawyer and close friend Thierry Herzog, recorded on lines opened by the two men under a false identity – Paul Bismuth for the former head of the ‘State.
Gilbert Azibert and Thierry Herzog, the two other defendants in this case, were also sentenced on appeal to three years in prison, two of which were suspended.
In a press release published Wednesday, the Court of Cassation considers that the offenses of corruption, influence peddling and violation of professional secrecy held against the three defendants have been established.
“The convictions and sentences handed down are therefore final,” indicates the court.
The appeal before the European Court of Human Rights is not suspensive and Nicolas Sarkozy, the first former president of the Fifth Republic sentenced to prison, will therefore have to serve his sentence. This will be facilitated by wearing an electronic bracelet at home.
“All this will take place in the weeks, in the months to come. It is certain that Nicolas Sarkozy will not give up (…) He will carry out the sentence but he will exercise the remedies offered to him”, indicated to press his lawyer Patrice Spinosi.
The decision of the Court of Cassation comes a few weeks before the opening, on January 6, of another trial targeting the former head of state for suspicion of financing by Libya of his 2007 presidential campaign.
(Jean-Stéphane Brosse and Blandine Hénault for the French version, edited by Bertrand Boucey)
