Nicolas Sarkozyformer French president and husband of Carla Bruni, was definitively sentenced to three years in prison of which one without parole. Therefore you will have to wear it for twelve months electronic bracelet. The sentence established that he is guilty for corruption e influence peddling. The sentence, to which three years of ineligibility is added, is unprecedented in France for a former head of state.
Because Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison
The Court of Cassation it therefore rejected the appeal of Sarkozy’s lawyers against the sentence reached on appeal in the trial and which now becomes definitive for French justice.
In the first two levels of judgment the former president was convicted in the trial “Bismuth“, pseudonym used by Sarkozy for confidential contacts with some sensitive interlocutors in another legal matter, that of the Bettencourt case.
Nicolas Sarkozy
In particular, the magistrates found the accused guilty of having formed, in 2014, together with his historical lawyer Thierry Herzoga “corruption pact” with Gilbert Azibert, high magistrate at Court of Cassation.
According to the agreements, the pact involved Azibert communicating information and attempting to influence magistrates on a appeal to court in exchange for a facilitation to obtain an honorary position in the principality of Monaco.
Sarkozy’s reaction: “I am innocent”
“As I have always done in these 12 long years of legal harassmentI will assume my responsibilities and face all the consequences,” declared Sarkozy, posting a long message on his Facebook profile.
“I have no intention of complaining – he added -. I am well aware that life has favored me in many ways. But I am not willing to accept the profound injustice that was done to me.”
The former president continues to profess his “total innocence” and asks in a polemical tone: “Should I think that my past political role and the opposition I raised created the corporate and political climate that led to this decision?”.
Unprecedented ruling and what happens now
Never before in France had a former head of state been sentenced like this. The detention measures against Sarkozy should be applied no earlier than one month with the preparation of the electronic bracelet at the review court. In reality, in just a month the former president will turn 70 and will be able to ask not to serve his sentence.
Patrice Spinosi, lawyer of the former French president, after the definitive conviction, explained that he will appeal to the European Court.
“The jurisprudence of the Court itself is contrary to what was established today by the French Supreme Court”, stated the lawyer who however specified that his client “will respect” the sentence and the execution of the expected sentence.
“It is the first time in France that a person has been convicted solely on the basis of telephone communications with his lawyer, which were intercepted”, added Spinosi, according to whom “the wiretaps between a lawyer and his client cannot be used against the client himself.”
“This is a rule that is part of fundamental freedoms and which justifies our appeal,” concluded the lawyer.
Photo source: ANSA
