Paris, Sept. 25 -- Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday after a Paris court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged illegal campaign financing from Libya.

Sarkozy, who has consistently denied the allegations, was accused of striking a deal with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to secure campaign funds in return for easing Tripoli's diplomatic isolation on the global stage, Reuters reported.

Despite this, the judge ruled that the conspiracy conviction warranted a custodial sentence, meaning the former president will serve prison time regardless of any appeal he may file.

In addition to the jail term, Sarkozy was ordered to pay a fine of €100,000.

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