Prosecutors Request Seven-Year Sentence for Sarkozy in Appeal of Libyan Campaign Funding Case

Prosecutors on May 13, 2026, requested a seven-year prison sentence for former president Nicolas Sarkozy at his appeal trial in Paris over alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. The request matched the term sought in the initial trial. That earlier proceeding resulted in a five-year sentence for Sarkozy on September 25, 2025.

The prosecution also requested a six-year prison sentence for Claude Guéant and a four-year term for Brice Hortefeux. Rodolphe Juy-Birmann, the most senior prosecutor, spoke on behalf of his two colleagues during the proceedings at the Paris court. He described Sarkozy as the instigator and sole beneficiary of a corruption pact with the Libyan regime.

He used those points to argue for a punishment commensurate with the gravity of the offenses. "It is the lie you will punish," he said to the court.

"No compromise can be tolerated, especially not foreign interference," the prosecution said. " The initial trial had sentenced Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison on September 25, 2025. The prosecution requested the same seven-year sentence for Nicolas Sarkozy as in the initial trial.

Juy-Birmann's remarks formed the core of the state's final arguments before the appeal court.