Corruption and influence peddling: Sarkozy sentenced to three years, one with an electronic bracelet

Trends primlee. Trends Wednesday 18th December 2024 11:16 AM REPORT

In a month he should be wearing the electronic bracelet, because of the three-year sentence, one is without parole and involves the use of the device. Nicholas Sarkozy69, was convicted of corruption of a judge and influence peddling: this is an unprecedented sentence for a former French head of state. There Court of Cassation has in fact rejected the appeal against the final sentence on appeal but the lawyers have announced an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. In fact, they believe that the jurisprudence of the Court itself is contrary to what was established today by the Supreme Court, he declared Patrice Spinosione of his lawyers. “It’s the first time in France a person is convicted only on the basis of telephone communications with his lawyer, which were intercepted. The wiretaps between a lawyer and his client cannot be used against the client himself, it is a rule that is part of the fundamental freedoms and which justifies our appeal”.

Sarkozy in a month he should see the one-year sentence of limitation of his freedom applied with the provision of an electronic bracelet for him. In reality, in just a month the former president will turn 70 and will be able to ask not to serve the year of the electronic bracelet. In the affair commonly known by the name of “Bismuth”, used by the former president for confidential contacts, Sarkozy he had been found guilty of having connected, in 2014, together with his long-time lawyer, Thierry Herzoga “corruption pact” with Gilbert Azibertsenior magistrate at Court of Cassationso that he could communicate information to him and try to influence the magistrates on an appeal Sarkozy in another story, that of chance Bettencourt. This was in exchange for “a helping hand” promised to the giudice for an honorary position in the principality of Monaco. The three defendants have always denied the wrongdoing, recalling that the trafficking of influence did not occur since the magistrate he never got the desired protection.

But his legal troubles don’t end here: in January he will return to court next January as part of the trial on the alleged financing of the Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya to his victorious presidential campaign in 2007. The former president will be back in the dock, together with three former ministers, for suspected international corruption. At the end of an investigation that lasted 10 years, the French judiciary believes it has sufficient evidence to bring the man to trial. Republican former owner of the Elysée. “Fairy tales”, protests the person concerned, who has always denied the accusations. The trial will be held from January 6 to April 10, 2025. Sarkozy he risks ten years in prison and a fine of 375 thousand euros.