France, Nov. 27 -- Six months of the sentence were suspended and can be served through alternatives such as an electronic bracelet instead of prison time.

Sarkozy, who is 70, had challenged the 2024 verdict but the Cour de Cassation said the lower court was right to convict him.

The decision adds to a series of legal problems for the one-term leader, who served as president from 2007 to 2012.

Bygmalion, Libya, Bismuth: the trials and tribulations of Nicolas Sarkozy Prison time served

Wednesday's ruling comes shortly after Sarkozy spent 20 days in prison in a separate case linked to his 2007 campaign. He was released on 10 November under judicial supervision while appealing that conviction.

In that earlier trial, judges found he had a...