Nicolas Sarkozy deprived of the highest French decoration

Former President of France Nicolas Sarkozy was deprived of the Honorary Legion, the highest French decoration, after a conviction of the former head of the state for corruption – according to a decree published on Sunday, cited by AFP.

As the agency noted, this is the second case in the history of France, when the state leader was deprived of this award. In 1945, the Honorary Legion was taken away from Marshal Philippe Petain for treason and cooperation with Nazi Germany during World War II.

The former president's lawyer said that Sarkozy “acknowledges this decision. At the same time, he noted that the European Court of Human Rights has not yet issued a decision on its dismissal.

In December 2024, the cassation court rejected the appeal of the President of France in 2007-2012 from the judgment of three years in prison, including two in suspension, for corruption and trade in influence. In practice, this meant a year of home arrest and wearing an electronic bracelet, which was removed in mid -May due to the age of the convict. In January, Sarkozy was 70 years old.

Right -wing politicians critically approached the idea of ​​deprivation of Sarkozy Honorary Legion. At the end of April, France President Emmanuel Macron expressed the opinion that “this would not be a good decision.” He added that “it is important that former presidents are respected.”

The Honorary Legion is the highest French state award, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and awarded for outstanding civil or military merits.

According to the decree published on Sunday, Sarkozy was also deprived of the National Order of merit, established in December 1963 by the then President Charles de Gaulle. (PAP)

MRF/ AP/