Sarkozy appeal thrown out by French court

By Cindi Cook

PARIS (AA) - The Paris appeals court threw out on Thursday an appeal by former President Nicolas Sarkozy to block an inquiry into the claim that he received millions of euros from Libya's ex-ruler Muammar Gaddafi to use on his 2007 campaign for the presidency of France.

Sarkozy has denied the allegations.

The investigation into the matter began in 2013. The charges include active and passive corruption, influence peddling, and misuse of company assets.

Gaddafi governed Libya in two separate stints with two political factions from 1969 until 2011, installing himself as a combative and totalitarian leader of a regime known for corrupt conduct, suppressing dissent, and supporting foreign aggressors.

Gaddafi's rule ended in 2011 in the wake of the Arab Spring when protests over corruption reached a pinnacle, giving rise to a civil war and an overtaking of the government by NATO. Gaddafi fled and was then killed.

Allegations of Sarkozy's receipt of funds first came to light after the investigative outlet Mediaparte published a document in 2012 that claimed the ex-president was financed by the Libyan leader.

As reported by Radio France International, nine separate legal inquiries have been conducted into the Sarkozy matter, however actual evidence has yet to surface.

The current evidence includes shady financial transactions along with testimonies from Libyan officials -- including from Gaddafi's son -- and secret service memos.

The outstanding allegations mean Thursday's appeals court decision gives the go-ahead for a long-awaited trial.