Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy goes on trial in Paris, accused of taking millions of euros in illegal funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to fund his 2007 election campaign Activity.

In exchange, prosecutors say Sarkozy promised to help Gaddafi fight his reputation of scorn in the West.

Sarkozy, 69, served as President of France from 2007 to 2012.

He has always denied the accusations, saying they were leveled against him by those motivated by his attempt to bring him down.

The investigation was launched in 2013, two years after Saif al-Islam, son of the then Libyan leader, first accused Sarkozy of taking millions of dollars in campaign funds from his father.

The following year, Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, a long-time intermediary between France and the Middle East, said he had written proof that Sarkozy’s campaign was “significantly” funded by Tripoli and that the 50 million euros (£43 million)) payments continued after he became president.

Twelve others – accused of making deals with Gaddafi – are on trial alongside Sarkozy. They all deny the accusations.

Sarkozy’s wife, Italian-born former supermodel and singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Accused last year of hiding evidence related to Gaddafi case She also colluded with criminals to commit fraud, which she denied.

Sarkozy has been the target of multiple criminal investigations since losing his re-election bid in 2012.

He also appealed a February 2024 ruling that found him Feeling guilty about overspending on the 2012 re-election campaignand then hired a PR firm to cover it up. He was sentenced to one year in prison, with six months suspended.

In 2021, he became the first former French president to be sentenced to prison after being found guilty of trying to bribe a judge in 2014. In December, the Paris Court of Appeal ruled that he could Serving sentence at home while wearing a tag Instead of going to jail.

Sarkozy was not wearing the tag when he arrived at the Paris court on Monday morning.

However, this is only because the details of the sentence have yet to be determined.

The former president is likely to appear wearing the device during his three-month trial over alleged Libyan ties.

The trial is expected to last until April 10. If found guilty, Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison.