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Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Accused of Witness Tampering in Election Funding Scandal

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France’s former first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has been charged in connection with a 2007 election funding scandal involving cash from then Libyan dictator, Col Muammar Gaddafi. French media reports that Bruni-Sarkozy, 56, faces charges of hiding evidence and associating with wrongdoers to commit fraud. She has been placed under judicial control and is prohibited from contacting other accused individuals except her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy. Additionally, she is suspected of concealing witness tampering and attempting to bribe Lebanese judicial personnel, among other violations.

Bruni-Sarkozy’s lawyers told AFP that she is determined to challenge what they describe as an “unfounded decision.”

Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s president from 2007 to 2012, is scheduled to go on trial next year over allegations that he received money from Gaddafi to fund his successful election campaign. He faces charges of corruption, illegal campaign financing, benefiting from embezzled public funds, and membership in a criminal conspiracy, all of which he denies.

The investigation began in 2013, two years after Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, accused Sarkozy of accepting millions of euros from his father for campaign funding. In 2014, Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine supported these claims, stating he had proof of Tripoli’s financial support for Sarkozy’s campaign, amounting to €50 million (£43 million). Takieddine claimed that he personally delivered suitcases filled with cash to Sarkozy and his chief of staff, Claude Guéant. Although Takieddine retracted this statement in 2020, raising suspicions of bribery, Guéant denied the allegations.

In June, Bruni-Sarkozy was found to have deleted messages exchanged with a French businesswoman questioned by police over witness tampering accusations. Since his defeat in the 2012 presidential election, Sarkozy has faced multiple criminal investigations. In 2023, he received a suspended prison sentence for attempting to bribe a judge, and earlier this year, he was found guilty of illegally funding his 2012 re-election campaign.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, an Italian-born former supermodel and singer, married Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and they have a daughter, Giulia, born in 2011.

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Nicolas Sarkozy to wear tag after losing corruption appeal

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a prison sentence for corruption. However, the Paris appeals court has ruled that he can serve his sentence at home with an electronic monitoring device instead of going to jail.

In 2021, Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for attempting to influence a judge in a separate case. This made him the first former French president to receive a custodial sentence.

Sarkozy’s lawyer has announced plans to challenge the ruling further with the Court of Cassation, one of France’s highest jurisdictions, stating that Sarkozy is innocent. In addition to the prison sentence, Sarkozy has been banned from holding public office for three years. There are multiple corruption cases involving Sarkozy, but he denies any wrongdoing.

Recently, prosecutors requested that he face trial over allegations of illegal contributions to his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan government, but the final decision lies with investigating magistrates.

Sarkozy served one term as president from 2007 to 2014 and was known for his tough stance on immigration and efforts to reform France’s economy. Critics criticized his leadership style as excessive and focused on celebrity culture, contrasting with the traditional and grand nature of the role.

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French court dismisses request seeking postponement of trial against former French supremo

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A court in France has dismissed a request seeking the postponement of a trial against former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

He is accused of offering a lucrative job to a judge in exchange of a vital information on a campaign finance inquiry.

The request to postpone the trial was submitted lately on the ground that his medical c0ndition could worsen if he was presented in the court.

The court ordered a detailed medical report to evaluate the claim made by the defendant to postpone the trial.

The report notified no material in support of the defendant’s claim, though it suggested the strict observation of physical distancing norms.

The development is a big blow to the former President.

Given the strict order the court has made, the trial is expected to resume in the coming week itself.

Mr. Sarkozy was once a very powerful political leader based in France. It is the first modern President of France. His mixed ethnicity was what made him more acceptable.

The case against him has badly damaged his image. Though he has maintained the stand that he is innocent, the case has already made a severe damage to his reputation.

Still, there are many in France who admire this modernist leader, who brought a new image to the country.

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