Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to attempts by aides to secure campaign funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential bid.

Axar.az reports that the sentence, enforceable immediately, marks Sarkozy as the first post-war French president to face imprisonment.

Sarkozy denied wrongdoing, calling the ruling “scandalous”, and vowed to maintain his innocence. The court found no proof he personally received Libyan funds, but held him responsible for allowing aides to contact Libyan officials.

Reactions in France were mixed: right-wing allies expressed support, while the left hailed the ruling as a sign of judicial independence. Sarkozy remains politically influential despite prior convictions and having his Legion of Honour stripped. He is expected to be summoned to prison in mid-October.