A former French president, ex-ministers, middlemen and Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's former chief of staff will appear in court, in Paris, from Monday, January 6 until April 10. They face prison sentences and heavy fines, which could be increased if they are convicted of money laundering, rising up to half of the laundered funds – funds that allegedly amount to millions of euros.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is charged with "concealment of misappropriation of public funds," "passive corruption," "illegal election campaign financing" and "criminal conspiracy," for which he faces a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, a €375,000 fine, a suspension of his right to vote, a ban on holding public office, a,d the confiscation of the proceeds of the offense.

His close friend and former minister Brice Hortefeux is charged with "criminal conspiracy" and "complicity in illegal election campaign financing," punishable by 10 years' imprisonment and a €150,000 fine, along with the same additional penalties. His friend Thierry Gaubert only stands accused of "criminal conspiracy," punishable by 10 years' imprisonment and a €150,000 fine. For "complicity in illegal election campaign financing," Eric Woerth, who was the chair of Sarkozy's 2007 campaign financing association, faces one year in prison and a €3,650 fine.

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