Paris, Sep 25 (V7N) – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Paris criminal court on charges of criminal conspiracy linked to alleged campaign financing from Libya under Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, Reuters reported.

The verdict, delivered Thursday, means Sarkozy could be sent to prison within a month. He was accused of seeking funds from Gaddafi in 2005, during his tenure as interior minister, in exchange for granting legitimacy to the Libyan government.

Sarkozy, who has consistently denied the allegations, announced he would appeal the ruling. However, legal experts note that even during the appeals process, he may have to serve time.

If imprisoned, Sarkozy would become the first French president ever to be jailed.

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