Cour de cassation to Rule on Nicolas Sarkozy's Bygmalion Appeal on November 26
The French Supreme Court will decide on November 26 whether to uphold Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction in the Bygmalion campaign finance scandal, marking a crucial juncture in the former president’s legal battles.
- • Nicolas Sarkozy’s appeal against his Bygmalion conviction will be ruled on November 26 by the Cour de cassation.
- • If rejected, it will be Sarkozy’s second definitive criminal conviction after the wiretapping case.
- • Sarkozy was sentenced to one year in prison with six months to serve immediately for illegal campaign financing in 2012.
- • His lawyers argue there is no material evidence of his involvement in the financing violations.
- • Three co-defendants have joined the appeal, potentially leading to a new trial.
Key details
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is facing a pivotal judicial moment as the Cour de cassation is set to decide on November 26 his appeal against his conviction in the Bygmalion case. This will be Sarkozy's last legal recourse concerning the case, which involves illegal financing of his unsuccessful 2012 presidential campaign. If the court rejects his appeal, it will mark Sarkozy's second definitive criminal conviction following his wiretapping scandal.
Sarkozy was sentenced to one year in prison, with six months to be served immediately, for exceeding the legal spending limit of €22.5 million through a double invoicing scheme that concealed nearly €43 million in campaign expenses. His lawyers argue there is no material evidence directly implicating him in the financial irregularities, describing the accusations as "fables" and "lies." Additionally, three of Sarkozy's co-defendants in Bygmalion have also appealed, which could lead to a new trial should the court find merit in their requests.
This ruling comes amid Sarkozy's recent sentencing to five years in prison, including provisional detention, for corruption linked to Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign—the first such prison sentence for a former French president. On October 13, Sarkozy has another important court meeting regarding his incarceration terms, after which his defense is likely to seek his release.
The Cour de cassation's judgment will focus solely on legal compliance, and its outcome may significantly impact Sarkozy's judicial future and political legacy.