France's Former First Lady Carla Bruni Faces Longer Prison Term Than Husband in Corruption Scandal

France's Ex-President Sentenced to Jail for Criminal Conspiracy

Former French first lady Carla Bruni removed a reporter's microphone and threw it on the ground after her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy, was sentenced to five years in jail for criminal conspiracy related to dealings with Libya. The investigation began in 2013 after a note from Libyan intelligence services was published, alleging a deal to finance Sarkozy's presidential campaign.

Sarkozy's sentencing raises concerns about Bruni's legal situation, as she faces corruption charges and could potentially receive a longer sentence than her husband if found guilty. Bruni is accused of participating in a criminal conspiracy to protect Sarkozy from allegations of receiving cash from Gaddafi through a £4 million campaign called 'Operation Save Sarko.'

Despite being acquitted of other charges, Sarkozy was found guilty of allowing his associates to seek financial support from the Libyan regime. He plans to appeal the verdict, criticizing its severity and emphasizing the importance of the rule of law. The court ordered him to be placed in custody at a later date, sparing him the immediate humiliation of going straight to jail.

The accusations against Sarkozy date back to 2011 when reports surfaced about Libyan funding for his 2007 campaign. The trial shed light on France's diplomatic relations with Libya during Gaddafi's rule. Sarkozy has consistently denied the allegations, attributing them to political motives and forged evidence. He remains a prominent figure in Right-wing politics in France.

Sarkozy's legal troubles also include a separate case of witness tampering, involving efforts to pressure a key witness. One of the co-defendants in the trial, Ziad Takieddine, passed away before the trial concluded. Sarkozy has faced previous convictions for corruption and illegal campaign financing, with appeals pending in some cases.