Nicolas Sarkozy given five-year prison sentence after Libya trial

Former French president found guilty of criminal conspiracy after being accused of pact with Gaddafi regime

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The former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been given a five-year prison sentence after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a trial in which he and aides were accused of making a corruption pact with the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to receive funding for the 2007 French presidential election campaign.

In a surprise ruling, the head judge, Nathalie Gavarino, handed down a special form of sentence that means Sarkozy, 70, will have to serve a prison term even if he appeals.