PARIS, France — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he was the victim of scandalous injustice and hatred that “has no limits” after a Paris court sentenced him to 5 years in prison for criminal conspiracy in an alleged illegal campaign-financing case.

The court found Sarkozy guilty of criminal association in a plot from 2005 to 2007 to finance his campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors. But it cleared him of three other charges -- including passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and concealment of the embezzlement of public funds.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

PARIS (AP) — A Paris court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to 5 years in prison and — in a major surprise — said he’ll be incarcerate

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