France’s financial prosecution office has requested a seven-year prison sentence and a €300,000 fine for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy over allegations of illegal financing of his 2007 election campaign by Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.

Prosecutors also called for six- and three-year prison sentences for Sarkozy’s former ministers and close associates, Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux, arguing that they helped orchestrate a “corrupt agreement” with the Libyan dictator to fund Sarkozy’s campaign.

Sarkozy, who listened to the prosecution’s request without reaction, “denies the charges and does not seem to grasp the gravity” of the alleged offenses. The three financial prosecutors had already urged the court earlier this week to find the former president guilty of all charges he has faced since January 6, including corruption, misappropriation of public funds, illegal campaign financing, and criminal conspiracy.

Prosecutors have also requested a five-year ban on Sarkozy’s political rights.

Calling the proposed sentence “excessive,” Sarkozy later stated on social media that he “will continue to fight for the truth and trust in the wisdom of the court.”