Five Years for Illegal Campaign Funds... Sarkozy Says "I Won't Admit Guilt Even If Imprisoned"

Former President Sentenced to Five Years in Prison in First Trial for Conspiring to Raise Illegal Campaign Funds
"No Risk of Flight, No Desire for Presidential Pardon" ? Sarkozy Maintains Defiant Stance
Death Threats Against Judges Emerge on Social Media... Heightened Tensions in French Judiciary
Despite Acquittal on Key Prosecution Claim, Heavy Sentence for "Undermining Public Trust"
Escalating Political and Judicial Conflict May Become a Variable in the Next Presidential Election

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years in prison in the first trial for conspiring to raise illegal presidential campaign funds, strongly criticized the judiciary, claiming that "all limits of the rule of law have been violated."

On September 27 (local time), in an interview with the local media outlet Le Journal du Dimanche, Sarkozy asserted his innocence, stating, "If I have to sleep in prison, I will, but I will never admit to something I did not do."

Previously, on September 25, a French court found Sarkozy guilty of conspiring to allow his associates to seek illegal funds from Libya ahead of the 2007 presidential election and sentenced him to five years in prison. However, while the court acquitted him of the prosecution's central claim that Libyan money was actually used in the election due to lack of evidence, it still ordered the provisional execution of the sentence, calling it "a serious crime that undermined public trust."

Sarkozy strongly objected to the immediate detention order issued on the grounds of "risk to public order," arguing, "The incident happened 20 years ago, and I was acquitted of three out of four charges. I have no plans to run in the next presidential election, nor am I a flight risk." He also added that he does not wish for a presidential pardon, explaining, "To be pardoned, I would have to admit guilt."

Following the verdict, a strong backlash erupted on social media, including death threats targeting the judges. Former Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned the threats, stating, "Threats against judges cannot be tolerated in a democratic society." The judiciary also issued a statement urging, "Please respect the judicial institutions and their independence."