Former French President Sarkozy deprives the Medal of Honor for corruption scandal

PARIS (AP) – France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy was stripped of his medal of honor after being convicted last year and announced on Sunday that he was the country’s head of state.

The decision was made through a decree published in the journal Officials, which publishes the government’s main legal information. It complies with the rules of the Legion of Honor.

The conservative politician, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has been at the heart of a series of legal cases since leaving office.

He was found guilty of corruption and influence over the 2021 Paris court and the 2023 appeals court for attempting to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information on the legal cases he implicated.

He was sentenced to wear an electronic surveillance bracelet for one year, a judgment upheld by the French Supreme Court Cassation Court in December.

Sarkozy, who was tried earlier this year for the allegations, received millions of dollars from Libya for a successful 2007 presidential campaign. He denied this statement. Prosecutors demanded a sentence of seven years in prison. A verdict is expected to be made in September.

Sarkozy became the second former head of state after Philippe Petain, who was stripped of the French Legion of Honor – the highest difference in France.

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was stripped of his Legion of Honor Award after a widespread sexual misconduct accusation against him in 2017. The shameful cyclist and former Tour de France star Lance Armstrong also revoked his French honorary title.

Sarkozy retired in 2017, despite still having an influence in French conservative politics.