فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The French Court of Cassation, the highest judicial authority in the country, has upheld the verdict against former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the corruption and influence peddling case known as the “Paul Bismuth affair.” With this decision, Sarkozy becomes the first former French president to be sentenced to wear an electronic bracelet for one year.
The court affirmed the previous ruling sentencing Sarkozy to three years in prison, with one year to be served, replacing the prison term with wearing an electronic bracelet. The court also decided to ban Sarkozy from running for any public office for three years.
The case dates back to 2014 when Sarkozy and his lawyer, Thierry Herzog, were accused of bribing Judge Gilbert Azibert to obtain confidential information related to ongoing investigations into financial corruption involving Sarkozy’s party, the Union for a Popular Movement.
Despite Sarkozy’s announcement of his commitment to implementing the penalty, he confirmed his intention to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. His lawyer, Patrice Spinosi, stated that his client would comply with the final penalty but would simultaneously seek to ensure his rights, which he believes were denied by French judges.
It is worth noting that this verdict comes at a time when Sarkozy faces another trial related to allegations of potential Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential campaign, scheduled to begin on January 6th. If convicted in this case, Sarkozy could face up to 10 years in prison.
This ruling sets a precedent in modern French history, as Sarkozy becomes the second French president to be convicted after Jacques Chirac, who was convicted of corruption charges in 2011. The implementation of the sentence remains subject to upcoming judicial procedures, with the possibility of postponement due to the upcoming trial and Sarkozy reaching the age of 70 next January.
