PARIS (Reuters) – Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a five-year prison sentence on Thursday after he was found guilty by a Paris court of criminally conspiracy in a trial over illegal Libyan campaign financing.
Here are some reactions:
FORMER PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY:
“This verdict is of extreme gravity for the rule of law. Hate has no limit … If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high … I am innocent. This injustice is a scandal… I will appeal; I will
fight until my last breath.”
CLEMENTINE AUTAIN, ECOLOGIST AND SOCIAL MP ON X:
“Head held high, dirty hands. The rule of law did not fail.”
CARLA BRUNI, SINGER AND SARKOZY’S WIFE ON INSTAGRAM:
“Love is the answer” with the hashtag: “#Hatewillnotwin”
BRUNO RETAILLEAU, OUTGOING INTERIOR MINISTER, HEAD OF LR PARTY IN STATEMENT RELEASED BY LR PARTY.
“Through his energy and determination, Nicolas Sarkozy brought a lot to France. He always faithfully served his country. I reiterate my full support and friendship to him during this difficult time.”
“I have no doubt that he will put all his energy into defending himself before the Court of Appeal and proving his innocence.”
JEAN-MICHEL DARROIS, A LAWYER FOR SARKOZY
“It is a firm and heavy sentence … There is a special justice for Nicolas Sarkozy … I am stunned by his sentencing but Nicolas Sarkozy is a fighter. There will be an appeal and we hope the Court of Appeal will acknowledge he is innocent.”
VINCENT BRENGARTH, LAWYER FOR PLAINTIFF ASSOCIATION SHERPA:
“This is the first time that a former president of the republic will find himself behind bars. It paints a deplorable picture, and no one can rejoice at the prospect of a former president ending up in prison. But at the same time, it also confirms that we have an independent judiciary that knows how to show courage and authority, because it was not an easy decision to make, especially since attempts were made to discredit the case by claiming that it was empty.”
CHRISTOPHE INGRAIN, ANOTHER LAWYER FOR SARKOZY:
“He was convicted on very strange grounds, which are in fact a fabrication … The reason he was convicted is because he is supposedly accused of allowing his colleagues, Brice Hortefeux and Claude Gueant, to consider financing from Libya.
“What is very difficult for us is that there is no evidence, only assumptions.”
LAURENT WAUQUIEZ, HEAD OF LES REPUBLICANS (LR) LAWMAKERS:
“Nicolas Sarkozy has always served France with passion and commitment. I would like to reiterate my support and gratitude to the statesman who has given so much to our country, and my friendship for the man himself.”
FAR-RIGHT LEADER MARINE LE PEN ON X:
“Going beyond former President Nicolas Sarkozy … the generalisation of provisional enforcement by certain courts represents a great danger in terms of the fundamental principles of our law, foremost among which is the presumption of innocence.”
FAR-LEFT LFI DEPUTY MANUEL BOMPARD ON X:
“The allegations against Nicolas Sarkozy are extremely serious. I hope that those who defended him, such as (Interior Minister) Mr Retailleau, will accept the decision. The France of honest people must begin with the members of his party”.
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, Makini Brice, Benoit Van Overstaeten; Editing by Richard Lough)
