Sarkozy Denies Libyan Cash Deal, Trial Continues

0:00It's April 7. I'm Cory with the story, and this is US News Today National News, powered by AI. Former French President Nicolas Sarcosi hit the stand in Paris on Tuesday for his appeal hearing. Flatout denying he took any Libyan cash to fund his. 2007 presidential run. Convict it last September of criminal conspiracy, he got five years, but only served 20 days before release pending the trial. At 71, he's telling the court he's innocent and owes the truth to France. The case ties back to claims he cut a deal with Moemar Gaddafi's regime for campaign money and exchange for political favors during his time as. Candidate in President from 2007 to 2012. Now it's a 12-week appeal rehashing evidence against him and nine others, including ex-ministers. Sarcosi calls it all politically driven nonsense. His wife, Carla Bruni Sarcosi, showed up for support as he defended leading France's 2011 military push against Gaddafi amid the Arab. Spring cracked down.

1:00Families of French victims from the 1989 UTA flight bombing over Niger voiced pain last week, linking it to alleged promises in the deal that killed 54 of their own. Prosecutors point to supposed pledges to drop in arrest warrant for Gaddafi's brother-in-law, Abdullah Al-Sanussi tied to that bombing and… Lockerby. Sarcosi shot back he never helped the guy, who's locked up in Libya thanks to French lead action and questioned why he'd risk a shady deal in a quick. 2005 Meetup. The trial runs till June 3rd, verdict later, amidst Sarcosi's string of legal battles like his upheld conviction for a legal 2012. Campaign spending, landing him six months under house arrest with an ankle tag. Eyes stay glued as he fights to clear his name.