France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy will go on trial on appeal starting March 16, following allegations he received Libyan campaign funds, a Paris court announced.
Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was previously found guilty of seeking funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign and sentenced to five years in prison. He served just 20 days before being released, and immediately appealed afterwards.
The appeals court said proceedings will run until June 3, and Sarkozy, who denies wrongdoing, is again presumed innocent.
Investigators claim his aides made a deal with Gaddafi to fund his campaign in exchange for help improving Libya’s international image. The lower court convicted him of criminal conspiracy, though it did not confirm he received or used the money.
Sarkozy has faced multiple legal issues since leaving office in 2012.
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