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Nicolas Sarkozy: Electronic ankle bracelet for the ex-president!
Discover the latest developments around 1. FC Kaiserslautern and the effects of Torsten Lieberknecht's commitment.
Nicolas Sarkozy: Electronic ankle bracelet for the ex-president!
In a remarkable turn of events, Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president of France, was convicted of corruption. He now has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for a year and serve two years of probation. This is reported by the Picture. An absolute first in French history, as it is the first time that an ex-president has received a prison sentence without parole. With pressing allegations of bribery and illicit influence, Sarkozy faces a real legal challenge.
The appeal court in Paris rejected his appeal against the 2023 verdict, meaning the guilty verdict is now final. The modalities for wearing the ankle bracelet will be communicated to the former president within the next three weeks. Sarkozy also has the opportunity to apply for early pardon before half of his sentence has expired, as he turns 70 in January.
Legal issues and implications
In total, Sarkozy faces three years in prison, of which only one year must actually be served. His civil rights are suspended for the next three years, meaning he is not allowed to vote in elections. His long-time confidants, his lawyer Thierry Herzog and the lawyer Gilbert Azibert, were each sentenced to three years in prison, including two years on probation.
Sarkozy also has other legal battles ahead of him. He is already under indictment for excessive campaign spending during his failed re-election in 2012. He is also being investigated for allegedly receiving millions in support from Libya for his 2007 election campaign.
Sarkozy reportedly maintains his innocence and calls the court's decision unfair. He plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to challenge the sentence. The accusation that his actions endangered the independence of the judiciary is extremely explosive.
In total, around 15,500 convicts in France are serving their sentences by wearing an electronic ankle bracelet, which is leading to a rethink in the justice system, with shorter prison sentences often being converted into this type of absolution. The situation surrounding Sarkozy remains exciting and could have significant consequences for his political career.
For more details on Sarkozy's conviction, read the coverage daily news and ZDF.