Press Review - Week of 24 November 2025

Press Review – Week of 24 November 2025

This week’s press review covers the search conducted at Sanofi’s headquarters by the National Anti-Fraud Office and the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office, as part of a preliminary investigation into money laundering of tax fraud and criminal conspiracy. It also addresses the final conviction of Nicolas Sarkozy for the illegal financing of his 2012 presidential campaign. In addition, it reports on the indictment and imprisonment of three individuals for espionage and interference on behalf of Russia, as well as the sentencing of former Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra to fourteen years in prison for corruption during his term as governor of Moquegua.

#Criminal tax law:

Suspicions of tax fraud laundering: Sanofi headquarters searched

On November 25, 2025, the headquarters of French pharmaceutical company Sanofi was searched in Paris by the National Anti-Fraud Office and the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office as part of an investigation launched in January 2024 into money laundering of tax fraud and criminal conspiracy. The judiciary is examining financial arrangements involving intragroup loans between Luxembourg subsidiaries and French parent companies, set up by a Société Générale subsidiary. AXA and Lactalis, as well as Société Générale, have been subject to similar investigative measures. In addition, Sanofi is also under investigation by the European Commission for suspected abuse of dominant position. > Read article

#White collar crime:

Bygmalion case: Nicolas Sarkozy definitively convicted for the financing of his 2012 campaign

On November 26, 2025, the French Supeme Court, Cour de cassation, upheld Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction to one year in prison, including six months to be served under an arrangement, for the illegal financing of his 2012 presidential campaign. The decision confirms the candidate’s responsibility for the significant breach of the legal spending cap, concealed through a double invoicing system attributing costs to the UMP. The high court dismissed the grounds for appeal and referred the former president to the sentence enforcement judge for execution of the sanction, which is eligible for adjustment. This ruling comes as Nicolas Sarkozy remains involved in other proceedings, notably the appeal trial in the Libyan financing case scheduled for 2026. > Read article

Three people indicted and jailed in Paris for espionage and interference on behalf of Russia

Four people have been indicted in Paris as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged economic espionage on behalf of Russia. Among them is the founder of the SOS Donbass association, suspected of contacting executives at French companies to obtain economic information and of acting in a way that could harm the Nation’s fundamental interests. These acts, classified as “intelligence with a foreign power,” carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison. > Read article

#Anti-bribery and Corruption:

Peru: Former President Vizcarra sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption

On November 26, 2025, former Peruvian president Martín Vizcarra was sentenced to fourteen years in prison for corruption involving bribes received between 2011 and 2014 while serving as governor of the Moquegua region. The court found that he accepted illicit payments of around $64,000 in exchange for awarding public contracts. The sentence also includes a nine-year ban on holding public office. Vizcarra denies the charges and plans to appeal. This conviction makes him the fourth former Peruvian president to be imprisoned for corruption-related offenses, while he remains involved in other ongoing legal proceedings. > Read article