Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy speaks at a tribute for policewoman Aurelie Fouquet, killed during a 2010 robbery chase. Vincent Isore/IP3/Getty Images
The ruling was delivered on Thursday after judges found Sarkozy guilty in a case linked to Libyan funding of his 2007 campaign.
Prosecutors argued that the late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi provided illicit financial support for Sarkozy’s election victory.
The court ordered Sarkozy, now 70, to be taken into custody at a later date.
Prosecutors were given one month to notify Sarkozy of the prison start date, according to the ruling.
Even if the former president files an appeal, the measure will remain enforceable, the court confirmed.
Judge Nathalie Gavarino described the offences as of “exceptional gravity” and “likely to undermine the confidence of citizens.”
The court also fined Sarkozy 100,000 euros and imposed a ban on holding public office.
This marks the first time in modern French history that a former head of state faces actual imprisonment.
Sarkozy has already been convicted in two separate trials in recent years.
In previous cases he avoided prison, serving sentences with electronic monitoring instead.
The removal of his electronic tag marks a sharp escalation in the legal consequences for Sarkozy.
His legal team confirmed plans to appeal the verdict and consider options for parole based on age.
The ruling is part of a wider investigation into campaign finance and political corruption in France.
Sarkozy prison sentence in Libya funding case
French prosecutors alleged that millions of euros were transferred from Libya to Sarkozy’s campaign coffers in 2007.
The court accepted evidence suggesting that funds from Kadhafi’s government were used to influence French politics.
Investigators linked the case to broader corruption scandals involving international campaign finance.
The conviction was handed down in the Palais de Justice, Paris, under tight security.
French media reported that Sarkozy appeared visibly tense when the verdict was read.
International reaction to Sarkozy conviction
The conviction has drawn international attention given Sarkozy’s former role in European politics.
Analysts noted that Sarkozy once played a central part in NATO-led operations against Libya in 2011.
The case has been reported as a significant moment in French judicial independence.
Transparency International described the ruling as a landmark for accountability in Europe.
The French daily Le Monde called the verdict historic in scope.
Legal options available to Sarkozy
Sarkozy is expected to file an appeal immediately after the ruling, according to his lawyers.
Under French law, an appeal could delay the enforcement of the sentence.
However, the court maintained that custody orders would remain binding despite appeal motions.
Observers said Sarkozy could apply for parole due to his age and health considerations.
The court clarified that parole eligibility would be assessed separately from the current verdict.
Related: Lake barrier collapse in Taiwan kills 14, over 150 missing
Sarkozy’s legal troubles highlight ongoing challenges for France’s political establishment.
