Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of trying to bribe a judge by offering to help him land a top job in Monaco. The former president, who led France between 2007 and 2012, has been sentenced to time in prison.
Judges on Monday found former French President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption after he tried to bribe a top lawyer with the promise of a job in Monaco.
The ruling marks the first time in France's modern history that a former president has been convicted on corruption charges.
What did the court say?
The former French leader was sentenced to three years —one year in prison and two years of a suspended sentence.
However, the court said Sarkozy can to request to be detained at home with an electronic bracelet.
The court said the promises Sarkozy made were "particularly serious" given that they were committed by a former president who used his status to help a magistrate who had served his personal interest.
The court added that, as a former lawyer, he was "perfectly informed" over what constituted an illegal act.
The 66-year-old has faced multiple graft accusations since leaving office in 2012 and prosecutors successfully argued he tried to obtain information about a separate probe into alleged financial impropriety in his party. He did so by offering to help judge Gilbert Azibert secure a well-paid legal adviser role in the principality of Monaco.
https://www.dw.com/en/french-ex-president-nicolas-sarkozy-found-guilty-of-corruption/a-56733568