“We intend to appeal this decision, the President strongly opposes the charges against him.
We do not understand this verdict and are outraged by it, ”said Sarkozy's lawyer Jacqueline Laffon.
Her words are quoted by TASS.
On March 1, a Paris court found Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption and trading in influence.
He was sentenced to three years in prison, two of them on probation.
In addition, Sarkozy's lawyer Thierry Erzog and a former employee of the Court of Cassation Gilbert Azibert, who are also being prosecuted in this case, received sentences.
Erzog was sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended.
Aziber received three years in prison, two of which were suspended.
All three are suspected of concluding a "corruption pact" in 2014, when, as investigators believe, Sarkozy received classified information from Aziber through Erzog "in exchange for a promotion."