French ex-president Sarkozy begins jail sentence for campaign finance conspiracy

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a one-year jail sentence for his involvement in a campaign finance conspiracy. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, was convicted for illegally financing his unsuccessful 2012 re-election campaign through the use of a shadowy Libyan funding scheme. The ex-president has appealed against the sentence and will serve the term under house arrest, wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet. Sarkozy denies the charges, claiming the case is politically motivated. This is the latest in a series of legal troubles for the former leader, who has faced several other corruption and influence-peddling charges in recent years. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to tackle political corruption in France and the challenges faced in holding high-profile figures accountable. The outcome of Sarkozy's appeal will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the country's political landscape.