The prosecution in the appeal trial against Nicolas Sarkozy for alleged corruption today requested a seven-year prison sentence for the former French president – ​​the same sentence they had requested in the first trial.

The Paris prosecutor is also seeking a fine of 300,000 euros. Prosecutors accuse Sarkozy, 71, of creating a criminal organization, bribery, illegal campaign financing and profiting from the misappropriation of public funds. The case focuses on Sarkozy's alleged acceptance of campaign financing from Libya. He has maintained his innocence during the appeals process.

"Not a single cent from Libya went into his election campaign and I was not under the influence of the then Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi," Sarkozy said in his testimony before the court.

At first instance, the court found no evidence that Sarkozy had actually received money from Gaddafi for the 2007 presidential campaign. However, according to the court, the conservative politician and his close associates had attempted to secure the money.

Sarkozy was found guilty in the first instance of participating in a criminal organisation and sentenced to five years in prison. He spent several weeks in prison. This means that Sarkozy received a heavier sentence than any former head of state in recent French history. The former head of state's lawyers had asked for his acquittal. Sarkozy has consistently denied the charges. The appeals trial is expected to last until the end of May.