Former French President Sarkozy wears electronic bracelet instead of going to prison

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy appears in court in Paris on May 17.

On May 17, the Court of Appeal in Paris upheld Mr. Sarkozy’s previous conviction. In 2021, the former French president was sentenced to three years in prison for bribing a judge after leaving office and exerting influence in exchange for confidential information about a financial investigation into his 2007 election campaign.

The court found that Mr Sarkozy and his former lawyer bribed a judge to collect and share information about a legal investigation.

As for the sentence, two years in prison were converted to a suspended sentence and Mr. Sarkozy will have to wear an electronic bracelet instead of serving the remaining one year in prison.

According to Reuters, Mr. Sarkozy did not say a word after leaving the court. Meanwhile, his lawyer still asserted his innocence and will continue to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Mr. Sarkozy, 68 years old, was president of France for one term from 2007 to 2012. During his five years in power, he implemented many tough anti-immigration policies and reforms to restore the French economy.

He has always denied all charges. However, the verdict marks the downfall of the former leader of one of the world's leading countries.

Sarkozy's legal battle after leaving office continues. Earlier this month, French prosecutors asked him to stand trial on corruption charges and illegal financing from Libya for his 2007 election campaign, Reuters reported.

This was also the clue that led to the corruption investigation of Mr. Sarkozy. In 2013, investigators tapped his phone lines and discovered a secret line between him and his lawyer, thereby exposing the above corruption case.

Before Mr. Sarkozy, his predecessor, the late President Jacques Chirac, was also convicted of corruption in 2011.

According to Tuoi Tre