Nicolas Sarkozy to wear tag after losing corruption appeal

Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his appeal against a corruption conviction, but the Paris appeals court has ruled the former French president could serve his sentence at home with an electronic tag instead of going to jail. 

Sarkozy was sentenced in 2021 to three years in prison, with two suspended, for attempting to influence a judge in a separate case.  The corruption conviction is one among several cases involving Sarkozy, who denies any wrongdoing. Prosecutors recently requested that he should stand trial over allegations of illegal funding from the Libyan government during his 2007 presidential campaign. However, the final decision on whether the case proceeds to trial rests with investigating magistrates. 

Sarkozy served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012. He is the first former president to receive a custodial sentence. His lawyer announced plans to challenge the ruling with the Court of Cassation, one of France’s highest jurisdictions.