Nicolas Sarkozy indicted in the investigation into Ziad Takieddine’s retraction concerning Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign

After three and a half days of questioning by the investigating judges, Nicolas Sarkozy was indicted on Friday October 6, in the investigation into Ziad Takieddine’s retraction concerning the Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. The former president is indicted for “concealment of witness tampering” and “participation in a criminal association with a view to committing “offence of judgment fraud by an organized gang”, France Télévisions learned from the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office. This decision opens the way to a possible new trial for the former head of state.

Nicolas Sarkozy is also placed under assisted witness status for “participation in a criminal association with a view to committing the offense of active corruption of foreign judicial personnel in Lebanon”. In this case, at least nine other people are suspected, to varying degrees and times, of having participated in this operation.

Nicolas Sarkozy “firmly determined” to “defend his honor”

The first event that attracted the attention of the justice system was the spectacular about-face of the Franco-Lebanese intermediary Ziad Takieddine, in an interview with Paris Match and BFMTV in mid-November 2020. The Franco-Lebanese intermediary assured that Nicolas Sarkozy’s campaign had not been financed by the Libyans, a statement contrary to his previous assertions in the file.

“Justice cannot give credibility to the statements of Ziad Takieddine when they accused Nicolas Sarkozy, and conversely, consider them manipulated when they exonerate him”reacted the former president’s lawyers in a press release. “Nicolas Sarkozy is firmly determined to assert his rights, establish the truth and defend his honor”they add.