URGENT: Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years in Landmark Libya Campaign Finance Case

Breaking News: Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years in Landmark Libya Campaign Finance Case Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail by a Paris criminal court for his role in a case involving millions of euros in illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. The sentence was handed down on [current date] at the Paris courthouse. The guilty verdict comes after Sarkozy, 70, was accused of using the funds to finance his 2007 election campaign in exchange for helping Gaddafi combat his reputation as a pariah with Western countries. Judge Nathalie Gavarino found that Sarkozy allowed close aides to contact Libyan officials to obtain financial support for his campaign. The court acquitted Sarkozy of all other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. However, the ruling means he will spend time in jail even if he appeals. Sarkozy was the president of France from 2007 to 2012 and has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the case. He claims it is politically motivated. The sentence has significant implications for Sarkozy's future, with the possibility of him serving time behind bars. The ruling also raises questions about the involvement of other French officials in the alleged campaign financing scheme. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*