HIBAPRESS
The Paris Court of Appeal is considering, today, Monday, the request for the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, imprisoned in connection with what is known as the "Libya case."
Sarkozy, 70 years old, was taken into custody three weeks ago after being sentenced to five years in prison, based on a judicial decision that ordered the immediate execution of the sentence despite his appeal of the ruling. His defense team quickly submitted a request for his release, and the court is expected to rule on the request this morning at half past nine local time, while the appeal trial is expected to begin next spring.
The case is related to accusations that Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign received illegal funding from the regime of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Despite the lack of direct evidence to prove these claims, the Criminal Court in Paris concluded that Sarkozy and some of his close associates had at least tried to obtain money from the Libyan regime, which led to his conviction on charges of "involvement in a criminal organization."
This ruling is one of the harshest sentences against a former French president in modern history, while Sarkozy continues to assert his innocence and deny all charges against him.
