Trial on Libyan Financing Scandal: Families of DC-10 Victims Demand Justice

Paris – 21.06.2026: In the appeal trial surrounding the alleged Libyan financing scandal linked to the presidential campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, the families of the victims of the 1989 DC-10 attack have once again reaffirmed their demands for comprehensive investigation and justice. The attack occurred on September 19, 1989, when a passenger airplane of the DC-10 type, operated by the French airline UTA, exploded over Niger, killing 170 people, including 54 French citizens. The Libyan government under Muammar al-Gaddafi was quickly identified as the orchestrator of the terrorist attack.

The family members see the attack as closely linked to the later uncovered financing scandal, in which Sarkozy and other French politicians allegedly received money from Libya for the election campaign. Their testimonies during the ongoing appeal trial highlight the long struggle for truth and accountability. They criticize the initially hesitant investigations and an alleged protection by the French authorities.

Already in April 2026, “Le Dauphiné Libéré” reported on moving statements from the bereaved, who are committed with great determination to a full clarification. In March, “Le Parisien” stated that the families are now better prepared and fight with more emphasis than in the first trial. They demand a clear attribution of responsibility for the attack and the elimination of the financial entanglements.

In May, the news magazine “L’Œil de l’info” criticized the defensive attitudes of Nicolas Sarkozy, who vehemently denies the allegations. The families found this stance disrespectful to the memory of the victims and instead demand an official acknowledgment of the offenses. “20 Minutes” reported in April on the ongoing anger of the relatives in view of the lifelong grief and the associated demand for justice and clarification.

Meanwhile, surprising developments have made headlines: A son of a victim met with a son of the former Libyan dictator to reach a settlement in a private setting—an initiative that does not have the support of the French government. This informal rapprochement reflects the willingness of some involved parties to seek new paths of reconciliation, after the official legal process has so far only been partially successful.

The current appeal trial highlights key questions about the responsibility of French politicians in connection with the Libyan regime and the financing of the 2007 election campaign. It shows how closely legal, political, and humanitarian concerns are intertwined when it comes to dealing with the past and justice. The families of the victims continue to demand clarity and hope for a final verdict that answers all their questions and does justice to the victims.