Sarkozy's Former Aide Criticizes Ex-President at Libyan Funding Trial

At the appeal trial regarding alleged Libyan funding of Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign, the lawyer for Sarkozy's former chief of staff, Claude Guéant, delivered a sharp critique against the ex-president. Philippe Bouchez El Ghozi accused Sarkozy of “cruelty” and “cynicism” for blaming Guéant, who was absent due to serious illness, and described the move as a calculated political strategy to deflect responsibility. Guéant submitted written statements asserting he only followed orders as Sarkozy’s loyal subordinate, particularly in the case involving Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the imprisoned Abdallah Senoussi. El Ghozi challenged accusations against Guéant, arguing the safe full of Libyan cash was unrelated to campaign funding, and instead resulted from vague art sales. Meanwhile, defense lawyers for other accused individuals — including Eric Woerth and Brice Hortefeux — refuted allegations of corruption and illegal financing. Hortefeux maintained his innocence and described the toll the case had taken on his personal life. The defense also questioned the credibility of key prosecution documents and timelines, undermining claims of a coordinated "corrupt pact" involving Libyan financial contributions.