Trump indictment: What happened when other countries prosecuted ex-leaders?

On Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for his role in inciting the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. This makes him the first US president to be impeached twice, and the first ex-president to face charges. However, Trump is not the first former leader to stand trial around the world.

In South Korea, former President Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly in 2016 and removed from office in 2017 following a corruption scandal. She was later convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for bribery, abuse of power, and coercion.

In Israel, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted of various corruption charges in 2014, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He served 16 months in prison.

In France, former President Nicolas Sarkozy is currently on trial for corruption and influence-peddling. He is accused of offering a magistrate a prestigious job in exchange for information on a separate investigation into his campaign finances. Sarkozy denies the charges.

In Brazil, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was convicted of corruption and money laundering in 2017 and sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, he was released in 2019 after a court ruled that he could remain free while he appealed the conviction.

While it is not common for former leaders to face criminal charges, it has happened in several countries. The reasons for these trials vary, but they often involve allegations of corruption or abuse of power. These cases highlight the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions, even after they leave office. With Trump now facing charges in the US, the world will be watching to see how this case unfolds and what it means for the future of American politics.



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