The defense asked for an acquittal, L’Express wrote. Sarkozy’s prosecutor’s office is proposing a six-month prison term. The court will issue a verdict on September 30, the AFP agency said.
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“Nicolas Sarkozy has done nothing wrong. He did not sign any budget, he did not sign any invoice, he accepted all the restrictions that were required of him. He is far from a hysterical, voracious candidate. He respects the values of justice, “the president’s lawyer, who led France from 2007 to 2012.
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The trial of Sarkozy, who did not attend today’s hearing, began on May 20. In addition to Sarkozy, another 12 people and Bygmalion, which was in charge of organizing political rallies, face charges of forgery, fraud or illegal campaign funding. According to the name of this company, the process in France is referred to as the Bygmalion case.
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Prosecutors claim that in 2012, Sarkozy’s party spent almost twice the maximum amount set by the election law at 22.5 million euros (574.2 million crowns) for very expensive election rallies. Subsequently, according to the applicants, it hired a friendly public relations agency to cover the actual costs. Sarkozy eventually lost the presidential election, and François Hollande succeeded him in the highest position.
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In addition to his six-month prison sentence, Sarkozy faces a fine of 3,750 euros (96,000 crowns). For other defendants, the prosecutor’s office demands suspended sentences from 18 months to four years and fines of up to 150,000 euros (3.8 million crowns).
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Sarkozy denies guilt and only appeared in court on the day he was summoned as a witness. In another trial in early March, a court sentenced him to one year in prison unconditionally for corruption and trafficking in influence. The former president appealed against the March verdict.
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