Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a high-profile case tied to illicit funds allegedly received from late Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi.

The Paris criminal court ruled on Wednesday that Sarkozy allowed close aides to pursue financial support from Libyan officials to bankroll his 2007 presidential campaign.

While he was acquitted of charges of passive corruption and illegal campaign financing, Judge Nathalie Gavarino said his actions opened the door for Gaddafi’s regime to influence French politics.

Prosecutors alleged that the Libyan leader funnelled up to €50 million (£43m) to Sarkozy’s campaign. Though the court found insufficient evidence to prove he directly pocketed the money, it concluded he played a central role in enabling the conspiracy.

The investigation began in 2013, two years after Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, accused Sarkozy of secretly accepting millions in campaign cash. Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine later claimed to have written proof that Sarkozy’s bid was heavily financed by Tripoli.

Several of Sarkozy’s allies were also convicted. Former interior minister Claude Gueant was found guilty of corruption, while another ex-interior minister, Brice Hortefeux, was convicted of conspiracy. Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, still faces related charges of hiding evidence, which she denies.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, has consistently rejected the allegations, calling the case politically motivated. His legal troubles have mounted in recent years: in 2021, he became the first former French president sentenced to prison after being found guilty of attempting to bribe a judge. In 2024, he was also convicted of overspending on his failed re-election campaign.

With this latest ruling, Sarkozy faces his toughest punishment yet—a five-year custodial sentence.