A Paris correctional court is set to deliver its verdict Thursday in the case examining whether former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's successful 2007 presidential campaign received illegal funding from the Libyan government under Muammar Gaddafi. The judgment, scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, comes after a three-month trial that concluded in March with prosecutors seeking a seven-year prison sentence for the 70-year-old former leader.

The proceedings continue despite the recent death in Lebanon of Ziad Takieddine, a Franco-Lebanese intermediary who was a key defendant and central figure in the case. The court can officially acknowledge the termination of proceedings against Takieddine based on his death certificate, but legal observers consider a postponement of the verdict for the remaining 11 defendants highly unlikely.

Prosecutors from the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) have accused Sarkozy of entering into what they described as a "Faustian corruption pact with one of the most unsavory dictators of the past 30 years." The former president faces charges including passive corruption, concealment of embezzlement of public funds, illegal campaign financing, and criminal conspiracy.

The seven-year prison sentence requested by prosecutors represents the most severe penalty sought against any of the twelve original defendants. Sarkozy, who is expected to be present in court for the verdict reading, has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The judgment is anticipated to last several hours as the court examines the complex allegations surrounding the 2007 election campaign financing.