A defiant Nicolas Sarkozy told a Paris court on Thursday that allegations of illegal Libyan financing of his successful 2007 presidential bid were a "conspiracy" and that not a single cent of Libyan cash would ever be found in his campaign.

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,

A trial has opened of France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy and 11 co-defendants over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has gone on trial in Paris, accused of accepting millions from Libya's Moammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 presidential campaign, Sky News reports.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at a Paris courthouse on Monday for the start of his trial over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial on Monday charged with accepting illegal campaign financing in an alleged pact with late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Sarkozy’s career has been shadowed by legal troubles since he lost the 2012 presidential election.