The Paris correctional court has announced that it will deliver its verdict on September 25 at 10 AM regarding Nicolas Sarkozy's involvement in alleged Libyan financing of his successful 2007 presidential campaign.

The announcement came on the final day of proceedings on April 8, 2025. On March 27, the national financial prosecutor’s office requested a sentence of seven years in prison, a fine of 300,000 euros, and a five-year period of ineligibility for the former president.

During the final session, Sarkozy claimed he would not engage with what he described as a 'political and violent indictment,' highlighting a 'distasteful media and political context.' He stated, 'I will not do this because I seek the truth and do not want to say anything before your court that could fuel this controversy,' referencing recent critiques aimed at the judiciary by the National Rally party following the conviction of Marine Le Pen.

Sarkozy is accused of having established a 'corruption pact' with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2005, allowing for financial support for his presidential campaign in exchange for diplomatic, economic, and legal concessions, including assistance for Libya's re-entry into the international community after years of sanctions related to the regime's involvement in terrorism.

Throughout the trial, Sarkozy and his legal team have maintained that there was no illicit financial support for his campaign.

The defense argued that the theory of a corruption pact is 'a crazy idea,' emphasizing that the prosecution's account lacks concrete evidence, particularly regarding the supposed millions of euros involved.

They urged the court to dismiss the allegations against Sarkozy.

During the proceedings, Sarkozy was present alongside three former ministers also implicated in the case: Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux, and Eric Woerth.

The courtroom witnessed a strong attendance, including Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni, and his sons, Jean and Pierre.

Defense attorneys likened the prosecution's financial claims to 'glaring holes' and inconsistencies, asserting that the investigations had failed to uncover any trace of the alleged corrupt funding.

One of the key allegations from the prosecution involves between 5 and 6 million Libyan dinars being transferred in 2006 to a Lebanese account held by intermediary Ziad Takieddine.

Prosecutors argued that a portion of this money was then diverted to support Sarkozy’s campaign.

However, defense counsel contended that Takieddine misappropriated the funds for personal expenses, including luxury hotel bills and vacations.

The second alleged financing channel, which supposedly involved the director of Muammar Gaddafi's cabinet, Bechir Saleh, and Alexandre Djouhri, was also called into question by defense counsel, who argued its plausibility was undermined due to Djouhri's known connections to Sarkozy's political rival, Dominique de Villepin, suggesting that any alleged corruption would likely have been disclosed.

As the historic trial reaches its conclusion, the implications of the case resonate within the broader context of political integrity and legal accountability in France.