Nicolas Sarkozy explained on Tuesday 7 April, at the beginning of his interrogation before the Paris Court of Appeal, that he intended to respond to “the suffering” of the families of the victims of the UTA DC-10 bombing with “the truth” of his innocence in the case of alleged Libyan financing of his successful 2007 presidential campaign. The former head of state is suspected of letting his closest collaborators negotiate such financing with a senior Libyan official, Abdallah Senoussi, who was sentenced in absentia for masterminding the 1989 attack that cost the lives of 170 people, including 54 French.
“It is not possible to leave these testimonies unanswered. We cannot remain indifferent, but it is impossible to provide a response commensurate with the suffering expressed,” commented Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy at the end of his first trial.
“No speaking after the civil parties.” The relatives of the victims of the UTA DC-10 attack, which exploded in Niger on 19 September 1989, killing the 170 people on board, including 54 French, testified on 1 April before the Paris Court of Appeal. They joined the civil party because Libyan dignitary Abdallah Senoussi, convicted in absentia in France, is considered the “mastermind” of the attack. Following Nicolas Sarkozy’s first trial, the court considered the lifting of his arrest warrant as one of the conditions for the payment of Libyan funds. The civil parties expressed their anger at the court’s reaction to the former head of state’s conviction. However, Nicolas Sarkozy chose to wait until his interrogation to respond to them.
“I have not committed any of the acts alleged.” Since the start of the appeal trial, Nicolas Sarkozy has spoken only briefly. When the court’s president asked the defendants to state the reasons for their appeal, the former head of state complied with the exercise and kept it concise. “I have not committed any of the acts I have been convicted of. I will mobilize all my strength to defend this truth deeply rooted within me,” he declared on 18 March.
“Sobriety and solemnity.” Nicolas Sarkozy is opting for a sober approach to this appeal trial. The hearing commenced on 16 March before the Paris Court of Appeal, in a very solemn atmosphere. The trial, occurring in the absence of former minister Claude Guéant due to health reasons, is expected to last until the end of May. The decision will then be deliberated upon.
