All three civil parties in the Sarkozy-Libya case, Sherpa, involved in the case since 2013, Anticor and Transparency International France, welcome a historic judgement that punishes acts of exceptional gravity having undermined the trust of citizens in those who represent them.
Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced by the 32nd Chamber of the Paris Criminal Court to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy – with the intent to engage in corrupt conduct. The former head of state appeared in court from January 6th to April 8th, 2025, alongside eleven other defendants, in a trial concerning allegations of illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. Given the seriousness of the charges against the former French president, the three accredited anti-corruption organisations joined forces to demand that light be shed on a possible corruption pact concluded with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to secure Sarkozy’s re-election.
A historic step in the fight against corruption
For nearly four months, this trial provided a rare opportunity for public debate. The justice system demonstrated its independence and proved that no politician is above the law. This historic ruling marks an essential step in the fight against corruption and sends a strong signal against impunity.
A trial marred by multiple attacks
This trial reveals the weaknesses of our justice system: more than 20 years have passed between the events being prosecuted and the start of the trial. This lack of expediency is due to a chronic shortage of resources, which weaken the criminal justice response in corruption cases. Added to these difficulties is a worrying climate of increasing threats against judges and the overall denigration of the judicial institutions. Sherpa, Anticor and Transparency International France remind politicians of their duty: to defend the independence of the judiciary, an essential condition for the rule of law.
The admissibility of anti-corruption organisations: a shield against impunity
Civil society action is more essential than ever. Sherpa, who joined the case as a civil party in 2013 and was later joined by Anticor and Transparency International France, has had its admissibility challenged on multiple occasions by Nicolas Sarkozy during the judicial investigation. This united front demonstrates the counterweight of NGOs in the fight against corruption. As civic space shrinks and attacks on civil society organisations intensify, it is crucial to guarantee their access to the courts. The anti-corruption accreditation, which allows NGOs to take legal action, must never again be used as a political lever to weaken those who defend public interest.
Democracy weakened by transnational corruption
This case is not limited to one French election. It reveals how certain political and economic elites have deliberately turned a blind eye to the predatory practices of authoritarian regimes and actively participated in the misappropriation of funds. By allowing stolen public resources to be used to buy influence networks, political decision-makers weaken democracies, undermine citizens’ trust and contribute to depriving the populations concerned of essential resources. Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction reveals a very high degree of porosity between the political, economic and financial spheres, with a lack of oversight of state resources.
Our three associations welcome this judgement, which demonstrates the strength of the judicial system and the solidity of the rule of law.
Sherpa has been working on the Libyan financing case for more than 10 years and sees the partial conviction of the defendants as a success and a reminder of the power of justice to fight impunity. Nevertheless, the absence of the Libyan population from the proceedings reminds us that corruption creates invisible victims and affects millions of citizens.
‘The courts have confirmed that an illegal agreement influenced a presidential campaign. The ruling in this unprecedented case highlights an intolerable compromise for our democracy. Anti-corruption organisations are recognised as victims, as are, through them, all the citizens of our country.’ Emma Taillefer, President of Anticor
‘With less than two years to go before the next presidential election, we must learn all the lessons from this trial: there is no guarantee today that such abuses will not happen again. Political financing must be much more strictly regulated to prevent another scandal.’ Patrick Lefas, President of Transparency International France
Press release from :
Sherpa, Anticor and Transparency International France.
For more information : presse@asso-sherpa.org
