Ex-French president Sarkozy will be sent to prison next week

PARIS: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy who is being awarded a 5-year prison sentence over criminal conspiracy will head to jail in the coming week, RTL reported on Monday.

According to the RTL report, the former French president had attempted criminal conspiracy to raise 2007 election campaign funds from Libya, with reports statements adding that he will be sent to Sante prison located in Paris on October 21.

Regarding the matter, the Paris financial prosecutor’s office said it could neither confirm nor deny the RTL report. Sarkozy’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It may be noted that the sentence was a spectacular downfall for the conservative who led France from 2007-2012, with judges saying their ruling took into account the “exceptional seriousness” of the case.

Sarkozy, who has always said he was innocent, was found guilty of criminal conspiracy over efforts by close aides to procure funds for his successful 2007 presidential bid from Libya during the rule of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

It is the third time Sarkozy has been convicted of fraud-related charges.

Separately, reinstated French PM Sébastien Lecornu named a new government Sunday after a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, as he faces pressure to urgently produce a budget and quell the political turmoil engulfing France. It is unclear how long this new team, which includes several old faces and some new, will last. 

French PM ousted in confidence vote, deepening crisis

France’s newly re-appointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu named a new government Sunday, as he faces pressure to urgently produce a budget and quell political turmoil that is scaring businesses and staining the country’s image.

The Cabinet includes several members who served in previous governments, from French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist camp and allied conservatives, as well as a few people from outside the political sphere.