I owe the truth to the French people: Sarkozy denies Libya campaign funding at appeal hearing

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy told a Paris appeals court on Tuesday that he is innocent in the case over alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign, saying he owes the French public the truth.

Appearing before a three-judge panel, the 71-year-old rejected claims that funds from the regime of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi helped his campaign. “Not a single cent from Libya” financed the bid, he said, adding, “I owe the truth to the French people. I’m innocent.”

Sarkozy is appealing his criminal conspiracy conviction delivered in September 2025, when a court sentenced him to five years in prison for allegedly seeking Libyan money in exchange for political and diplomatic favours. He spent about 20 days in prison before being released pending appeal .

The 12-week appeal trial , which began in March and runs until June 3, is reviewing evidence against Sarkozy and several co-defendants, including former ministers. His wife, Carla Bruni, attended Tuesday’s hearing.

Defending France’s role in the 2011 military intervention in Libya , Sarkozy told the court: “I took the initiative, France took the initiative. Why? Because Gaddafi had no hold over me, financially, politically or personally.” Gaddafi was later killed by opposition fighters in October 2011.

The hearing has also drawn attention from families of victims of the 1989 bombing of UTA Flight 772 , which killed 170 people including 54 French nationals. Sarkozy said, “Such unspeakable suffering can only be answered with the truth.”

Prosecutors allege he promised to lift an arrest warrant against Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi in return for campaign funding. Sarkozy rejected the claim, saying, “I did not act in favour of Mr. Senoussi… I never promised him anything.”

Questioning the allegations, he added: “Why would I have chosen Mr. Gaddafi… to set up a suspicious financing arrangement during a 30-minute meeting? It makes no sense.”

The case also examined meetings in Tripoli involving Sarkozy allies Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux. A verdict in the appeal is expected after the hearings conclude.