Sarkozy Faces Mounting Evidence in Libyan Campaign Financing Trial

The former French president denies accusations of corruption as financial records and testimonies from Libyan officials are scrutinized in court.

Nicolas Sarkozy is on trial over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was illegally financed by funds from Muammar Gaddafi's Libyan regime.
Sarkozy has repeatedly denied the accusations, asserting that no Libyan money was involved and that the claims are politically motivated retaliation for France's role in Gaddafi's downfall.
Key evidence includes the diaries of former Libyan oil minister Choukri Ghanem, which document alleged payments totaling 6.5 million euros to Sarkozy's campaign via intermediaries.
The prosecution has highlighted financial transactions tied to Ziad Takieddine, a Franco-Lebanese businessman, who is accused of funneling Libyan funds but is currently in exile in Lebanon.
Sarkozy's defense argues that any funds diverted by Takieddine were unknown to him, while prosecutors question why Libya would release millions without guarantees of political return.