Ex-French president Sarkozy appeals conviction in Libyan campaign financing case

PARIS (AP) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy returned to court on Monday for an appeal hearing in Paris over his conviction linked to the alleged illegal campaign financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by Libya, a case that led him to spend 20 days in prison last year.

Sarkozy, 71, is challenging a September ruling by a Paris court that found him guilty of "criminal conspiracy." He was sentenced to five years in prison for his alleged part in a scheme to obtain funds from the government of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in exchange for political and diplomatic favors.

The verdict marked the first time that a former president of modern France had been sentenced to actual prison time. Sarkozy - who led France from 2007 to 2012 - began serving his sentence before a Paris appeals court ordered his release under judicial supervision pending the new trial.

The appeal hearing, which is scheduled to last until June 3, will reexamine all of the evidence and testimony related to Sarkozy and nine co-defendants - including three former ministers.

In September, the judges found that Sarkozy and his associates had formed a criminal association between 2005 and 2007 to secure money from Libya to support his successful presidential bid.

Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing and suggested the accusations were politically motivated.

He has faced multiple legal cases since leaving office but remains an influential figure in conservative politics.

In November, the Court of Cassation - France's top court - upheld his conviction for illegal campaign financing of his 2012 reelection bid, requiring him to spend six months under house arrest wearing an electronic ankle tag, a sentence that has yet to be implemented.