Ex-French Prez Sarkozy handed 5-year jail term

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in jail Thursday for criminal conspiracy over attempts to raise campaign funds from Libya and will soon become the first former president of France to serve time in prison.

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The sentence was harsher than many expected and Sarkozy, who was president between 2007-2012, will spend time in jail even if he appeals the ruling - which he said he would do.

As he exited the courtroom, Sarkozy, visibly moved, expressed his anger at what he said was a “scandalous” ruling.

“What happened today is of extreme gravity in regard to the rule of law, and for the trust one can have in the justice system,” he told reporters.

“If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high,” he said, adding that he was innocent. “I will not apologise for something I didn’t do.”