The former president of France, Jacques Chirac, has been found guilty of corruption in a party financing case, it has been reported.
The 79-year-old was accused of paying members of his political party for jobs that did not exist while he was mayor of Paris between 1977-1995.
Chirac, who was president of France from 1995 to 2007, denied the charges made against him but was convicted of embezzling public funds, abuse of trust and illegal conflict of interest.
According to the Associated Press, Chirac's lawyer Georges Kiejman said the former president may yet appeal the verdict.
"What I hope is that this ruling doesn't change in any way the deep affection the French feel legitimately for Jacques Chirac," he said.
"We have to take a step back and read this ruling, we have to speak of course with the main person involved (Chirac), and we will know tonight if he accepts this decision or, on the contrary, he wants — on principle — to appeal. For the moment, it's impossible to say more," he said.
Chirac was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.