Nicolas Sarkozy Convicted of Criminal Conspiracy in France

Sarkozy Found Guilty of Criminal Conspiracy

• 🇫🇷 Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy.
• ⚖️ The conviction relates to his 2007 presidential campaign, with the judge stating Sarkozy allowed close aides to act with a view to obtaining financial support.
• 🚫 Sarkozy was acquitted on separate charges of passive corruption and other related accusations.

Key Defendants and Acquittals

• 🏛️ Three defendants, including former minister Eric Veru and Edouard Ullmann, have been fully cleared of all accusations.
• 👥 Among the 13 total defendants, two have died, and the remaining have received partial acquittals or guilty verdicts.

Allegations and Denials

• 💰 The central accusation involved Sarkozy accepting millions of euros in cash from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to fund his 2007 campaign.
• 🗣️ Sarkozy and his ministers have consistently denied these accusations, calling them "fable, grotesque, ludicrous lies driven by revenge."

Key Witness Death

• ✈️ A key defender, Ziad Takieddine, who accused Sarkozy of receiving cash-filled bags, died two days ago in Lebanon.
• 💔 Takieddine's death was confirmed by a death certificate presented in court; he died of a heart attack.