During an appeal hearing on March 25, 2026, former French minister Brice Hortefeux faced intense scrutiny over a memo suggesting Libyan funding for Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign. The 'Koussa note,' attributed to ex-Libyan security chief Moussa Koussa, indicates Hortefeux attended a 2006 meeting where €50 million was pledged to Sarkozy. Initially dismissed as inauthentic, the memo's credibility is now being reconsidered, raising questions about Hortefeux's involvement and the accuracy of his previous statements. The court is examining inconsistencies, including potential misinterpretations of meeting dates, which could place Hortefeux in Libya during a period he claimed to be in France. This development adds complexity to the decade-long investigation into alleged Libyan financing of Sarkozy's campaign.
