[Shang Kaiyuan, correspondent of the Global Times in France] Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was recently convicted of "conspiracy" by the Paris Criminal Court and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for being accused of illegally accepting funds provided by former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during the 2007 presidential campaign. This means that Sarkozy may become the first former president in French history to be sentenced to actual punishment.

According to the verdict, the 70-year-old would also be fined €100,000 and deprived of his citizenship. However, the court did not recognize previous allegations by the National Financial Prosecutor¡¯s Office (PNF) about the hiding or misuse of Sarkozy¡¯s campaign funds from Libya and other allegations such as bribery. In addition, the court also sentenced several individuals, including two former interior ministers, to prison terms ranging from two to six years.

Sarkozy replied when leaving the court that the ruling was ¡°extremely serious to the rule of law of the country¡± and questioned the justice of justice. He said: ¡°I will assume my responsibility and obey the court call. If they have me to go to jail, I will go to jail, but I will bow my head in. I am innocent.¡±

Meanwhile, Sarkozy¡¯s lawyers have appealed and sought to shorten the actual time of imprisonment. Despite the appeal, Sarkozy will still have to begin serving in the coming weeks under a special French judicial regulation and may face alternative punishments such as electronic footprints.

The verdict sparked a strong reaction in French politics. The Left Front saw it as a victory for the rule of law and supported the independence of the judiciary. The French World Journal commented that the trial sentenced ¡°no one above the law.¡± Instead, the right-wing and far-right factions generally supported Sarkozy, and some Republican lawmakers called on President Macron to exercise amnesty, and criticized the PNF¡¯s lack of neutrality. Le Pen, the leader of the far-right national coalition who had been sentenced for a similar case, also accused the PNF of ¡°political tendency.¡±

The ruling camp remained silent about the matter, and neither the Elysée Palace, the Prime Minister¡¯s Office nor the ruling party made any public statements. According to a minister¡¯s adviser, the government was shocked and confused about the verdict, but had not yet formed a unified stance or outreach strategy.