The Paris criminal court has found former French President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy related to the alleged acceptance of millions of euros in illicit funds from the late Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy was acquitted on several other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.

Accusations state Sarkozy utilized the funds from Gaddafi to support his presidential election campaign in 2007, promising to assist Gaddafi in improving Libya's standing with Western countries in return.

Since his presidency from 2007 to 2012, Sarkozy has faced numerous legal challenges, including a recent conviction in which he was found guilty of overspending on his 2012 campaign. He has consistently claimed that the cases against him are politically motivated.

The investigation surrounding the current case was initiated in 2013 following allegations made by Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi's son.

Adding to the complexity, Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has also faced charges relating to the Gaddafi case, which she denies.

This guilty verdict marks another chapter in Sarkozy's turbulent legal saga, as he continues to navigate the fallout from his past leadership and the legal consequences that have since arisen.