Sarkozy stands accused of having illegally accepted money from the late Libyan dictator, Moammar Gaddafi, to finance his first presidential campaign. The brash, tough-talking former interior minister, who was elected president in 2007, has repeatedly professed his innocence, claiming to be the victim of a conspiracy.

The trial of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on charges related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid is to begin in Paris on Monday. Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012,

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, already convicted twice in separate cases since leaving office, on Monday goes on trial charged with accepting illegal campaign financing in an alleged pact with the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.