An anti-corruption NGO hailed the conviction of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sentenced to five years in jail on Thursday (September 25) for criminal conspiracy over attempts to raise campaign funds from Libya.

The sentence was harsher than many expected and Sarkozy, who was president between 2007-2012, will spend time in jail even if he appeals the ruling - which he said he would do.

A lawyer for one of the co-accused Alexandre Djouhri said Sarkozy had been sent to prison due to public and media pressure but the economic justice campaign group Sherpa welcomed the ruling.

"It's a strong signal to say it's the end of impunity, even if you are from the higher stage of the republic," Executive Director Sandra Cossart said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 25, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT, NICOLAS SARKOZY, SPEAKING TO MEDIA AFTER VERDICT

2. WIFE CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY LISTENING

3. LAWYER OF ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS ALEXANDRE DJOUHRI, CHARLES CONSIGNY, TALKING TO MEDIA

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) LAWYER OF ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS ALEXANDRE DJOUHRI, CHARLES CONSIGNY, SAYING:

"I think that the warrant to detain Nicolas Sarkozy was issued because public opinion has been exerting pressure for several years, and certain media outlets and a certain political class, have been exerting pressure for several years to have Nicolas Sarkozy's head. Tonight, they got his head, good for them."

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION 'SHERPA', SANDRA COSSART TALKING TO JOURNALISTS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION 'SHERPA', SANDRA COSSART, SAYING:

"So it's a strong signal for the state of law. It's a strong signal to say it's the end of impunity, even if you are from the higher stage of the republic. And it's not a political trial. It's a trial for some politicians. It's very different. And it means that now if you are a politician, you should be accountable for what you're doing."

7. JOURNALISTS AND LAWYERS OUTSIDE COURTROOM

8. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF COURTHOUSE