Former French President Sarkozy Begins Trial On Alleged Receiving Cardapi's Backhand Money

The first trial of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was accused of receiving large amounts of back money from Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi ahead of the 2007 French presidential election, has begun.

Sarkozy's trial began at the Paris Criminal Court on the afternoon of the 6th, local time, and will continue until April 10.

Arriving in court surrounded by lawyers, Sarkozy entered the courtroom without much comment.

Sarkozy is accused of signing a "corruption agreement" with Gadhafi in 2005 and promising industrial and diplomatic benefits in exchange for the Libyan regime's 50 million euros in illegal political funding, some 70 billion won, for his 2007 presidential campaign.

Former President Sarkozy has denied the allegations, saying he received no money from Libya.

Earlier, French prosecutors launched an official investigation in 2013 after allegations of illegal political funds were raised in the media.

Prosecutors found that Gadhafi's regime's money was delivered to Sarkozy in cash or secret accounts through the Bahamas, Switzerland and Malaysia.

However, it was difficult to secure physical evidence, so the prosecution could not finally confirm how much had flowed.

Sarkozy is charged with illegal campaign financing, embezzlement of public money, corruption and conspiracy to commit crimes, and if convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.