Sarkozy claims Libya money ‘lies’ cost election
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy claimed that lies about tens of millions of euros he allegedly received from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi sank his 2012 re-election attempt, French media reports say.
Mr Sarkozy’s claims emerged after he was charged with corruption and illegal campaign financing after an inquiry into alleged Libyan backing for his successful run for the presidency in 2007.
The allegations were first made in March 2011, when the son of the Libyan dictator, Saif Al Islam, demanded the return of Libyan money that he claimed was used to bankroll Mr Sarkozy’s campaign.
“This calumny has made my life a living hell” since 2011, said Mr Sarkozy, 63, in Le Figaro newspaper. “I’ve paid a heavy price for this affair. Put it this way: I lost the presidential election of 2012 by 1.5 percentage points. The controversy initiated by Qaddafi and his henchmen cost me that 1.5 per cent”.
Mr Sarkozy was held and questioned for two days this week after claims by a Lebanese businessman that he personally handed over three suitcases of money holding €5 million (Dh22.5m) to Mr Sarkozy and a senior aide. Mr Sarkozy accused him of lying.
The charges are the most serious of the investigations that have dogged him since he left office in 2012. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in jail.
Mr Sarkozy was one of the most vocal advocates of a Nato-led military campaign that resulted in Qaddafi’s overthrow and murder in 2011.
Angered at the role of Mr Sarkozy in backing the rebels, Saif Al Islam in 2011 described Mr Sarkozy as a “clown” and spoke for the first time about the campaign funds.
Mr Sarkozy will have six months to appeal the charges, which is he is likely to do.