PARIS: Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was fitted with an electronic tag on Friday after being convicted of corruption, prosecutors said — a first for a former head of state.
France’s top court ordered Sarkozy, 70, to wear the tag for a year after he was found guilty of attempting to bribe a judge.
The device was fitted at his home, where he must remain between 8 am and 8 pm, with limited exceptions for court appearances in another ongoing case.
Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, still wields influence and regularly meets President Emmanuel Macron.
He denies the charges and plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
His conviction stemmed from a secret phone line, registered under the alias “Paul Bismuth,” which revealed a corruption pact with lawyer Thierry Herzog and judge Gilbert Azibert.
In exchange for insider information, Sarkozy allegedly promised Azibert a prestigious retirement post.
Sarkozy faces separate charges over illegal Libyan campaign financing.
His legal troubles have followed him since losing the 2012 election, making him the first French president in modern history to be sentenced to serve time. — AFP
