France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, upheld the corruption conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for one year, local media reported.
The court confirmed the ruling in the “Bismuth affair,” marking the first time a former French president has been subject to such a punishment. Sarkozy, 70, was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, in connection with allegations of illegal campaign financing from Libyan sources.
Investigators revealed that Sarkozy had used two secret phone lines under the alias “Paul Bismuth” to communicate with his lawyer, Thierry Herzog. The case centers on accusations that Sarkozy and Herzog attempted to bribe Gilbert Azibert, a former judge, in exchange for insider information about a separate judicial investigation. In return, Sarkozy allegedly promised Azibert a prestigious position in Monaco.
Although the ruling is final in France, Sarkozy’s lawyer has indicated plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
