Nicolas Sarkozy loses corruption appeal, ordered to wear electronic tag

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his appeal against a prison sentence for corruption.

The Paris court ruled Sarkozy can serve his time wearing an electronic tag, instead of going to jail.

In 2021 Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison - including two suspended - for trying to influence a judge in a separate case.

The 68-year-old was the first former French president to get a custodial sentence. He was convicted of bribing French senior magistrate Gilbert Azibert by offering him a prestigious job in Monaco in exchange for information about a criminal inquiry into his political party.

But following today’s ruling, his lawyer said her client is innocent, and she will launch a new challenge with the Court of Cassation, one of France's highest authorities.

Earlier this month, prosecutors requested that he should face trial over allegations that the Libyan government illegally contributed to his 2007 presidential bid.

But in France, investigating magistrates have the last word over whether a case should go to trial.