Nicolas Sarkozy, former president of France, maintained his innocence Tuesday at an appeals trial concerning allegations of illegally receiving funding from Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 election campaign. Sarkozy stated that “not a single cent of Libyan money” was used in his campaign.
The trial centers around accusations that Sarkozy sought funding from Gaddafi’s government in exchange for political and diplomatic favors, including improving Tripoli’s image. A lower court previously found him guilty of seeking such funding.
Sarkozy was initially sentenced to five years in prison in September for his alleged role in the scheme to obtain funds. This conviction made him the first modern French president to be imprisoned.
He is appealing the initial ruling, arguing against the claims that he knowingly accepted illicit financing from Libya.