Among 12 others facing trial over the alleged Libyan financing are heavyweights such as Sarkozy's former right-hand man, Claude Gueant, his then-head of campaign financing, Eric Woerth, and former minister Brice Hortefeux. Takieddine had claimed he delivered three suitcases stuffed with a total of five million euros ($6.15 million) in cash in 2006 and 2007. Sarkozy took a lead role in negotiating Russia's partial withdrawal from Georgia after Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion in 2008. Sarkozy faces a separate probe into possible potential influence-peddling after he received a payment from Russian insurance firm Reso-Garantia of three million euros in 2019 while working as a consultant. Despite his two convictions, Sarkozy currently faces no threat of going to jail and can serve his sentences by wearing an electronic bracelet.

Source: Libya Today August 25, 2023 23:58 UTC