Sarkozy to face trial over funds

NICOLAS Sarkozy is facing a trial and possible prison sentence after being charged with a “criminal association” with Colonel Gaddafi.

The former French president is alleged to have accepted at least £ 42million from the late Libyan leader to fund his 2007 election campaign.

It follows earlier charges against Sarkozy, 65, of corruption, concealment of embezzled public funds and illicit financing.

The politician, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, said: “The French should know that I am innocent. Injustice will not win.”

Sarkozy now faces a criminal trial over the Gaddafi money, which is alleged to have been laundered through bank accounts in Panama and Switzerland.

After his election, Sarkozy hosted Gaddafi in Paris for a state visit and praised him as a “brother leader”.

Sarkozy is set to appear in the dock in Paris next month.