PARIS — A Paris court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to 5 years in prison and — in a major surprise — said he'll be incarcerated even if he appeals, after finding him guilty Thursday in his trial for alleged illegal campaign financing by Libya.

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A Paris court has sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison

In a major surprise it said Thursday that he'll be incarcerated even if he appeals

The court found him guilty of criminal association in a plot to finance his 2007 campaign with Libyan funds in exchange for diplomatic favors

The court cleared him of three other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing

The court said the date of his incarceration will be decided later, sparing the 70-ye

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