Sarkozy was at the center of a high-profile trial

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, once referred to as a "hyper-president," has once again found himself at the center of a high-profile trial.

This time, he is accused of illegally financing his 2007 presidential campaign with money from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The trial, which began on January 6 in Paris, is expected to be one of the most significant in modern French history.

Sarkozy's career, which ended with his defeat in the 2012 elections, has long been overshadowed by legal issues. At 69, he has already been convicted twice and has been involved in several investigations. Nevertheless, the former president still holds influence over right-wing voters and maintains regular contact with current President Emmanuel Macron.

A recent setback came when the Court of Appeal refused to review his one-year sentence for influence peddling. However, he will not serve time in prison; instead, his sentence has been replaced with an electronic bracelet.

Despite this, prosecutors remain determined to send Sarkozy to prison, and the charges against him stem from a decade-long investigation.

According to the prosecutor's office, Gaddafi allegedly provided around €50 million to finance Sarkozy's presidential campaign in exchange for international legitimacy for his regime. This supposed "deal" reportedly began in 2005 when Sarkozy visited Tripoli as France's Interior Minister.

Sarkozy has denied all charges, calling them an "artificial construct" and part of a political conspiracy. His lawyer, Christophe Ingren, insists there is no evidence to support the claims of illegal financial transactions. "Sarkozy will fight to the end," said his lawyer.

The investigation, however, relies heavily on the testimony of key witnesses, including French-Lebanese businessman Ziyad Takieddine. Takieddine claimed to have personally delivered suitcases filled with cash for Sarkozy, though he later retracted his statement, raising suspicions that he was bribed to change his testimony.

The historical background is equally dramatic. In 2007, Gaddafi visited Paris with great fanfare, pitching his famous Bedouin tent in the heart of the city. But in 2011, under Sarkozy's leadership, France supported the military operation that led to the overthrow and death of the Libyan dictator.

Sarkozy maintains that the accusations against him stem from former Gaddafi associates seeking revenge for these events. However, prosecutors believe that evidence of Libyan financing lies at the heart of a corrupt "deal" that may have altered the course of French politics.

If convicted, Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison. Other high-ranking members of his entourage are also expected to stand trial alongside him.