France's Sarkozy denies wrongdoing in illegal campaign financing case

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for a hearing in his appeal trial in the "Bygmalion" case, which concerns the illegal financing of his lost presidential campaign in 2012, at the courthouse in Paris, France, November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

PARIS (Reuters) - Former President Nicolas Sarkozy told a Paris appeals court on Friday he was innocent of any wrongdoing, as he tried to overturn a 2021 conviction for illegal campaign financing.

Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence in September 2021, though that was suspended while he launched his appeal.