Paris: Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of his Legion d'honneur award, France's highest distinction, after his graft conviction. The former French president was found guilty of illegal attempts to obtain favors from a judge.

According to Deutsche Welle, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, has had his Legion d'honneur (Legion of Honor) award revoked following his conviction on graft charges, as noted in a decree published Sunday.

He has become the second French head of state to be stripped of the award, following Philippe Pétain, who led the collaborationist Vichy regime during World War II and was convicted in August 1945 for high treason and conspiring with the Nazi occupiers.

Under the rules governing the Legion d'honneur, recipients automatically forfeit the award if they are convicted of a crime or receive a prison sentence of at least one year.

Sarkozy, who has faced legal challenges since his defeat in the 2012 French presidential election, was convicted of graft. An appeals court upheld the conviction last year, ordering him to wear an electronic ankle bracelet instead of serving a one-year jail sentence.

The 70-year-old former president, who recently had the electronic tag removed, was found guilty of attempting to secure favors from a judge illegally.

Sarkozy is currently appealing the conviction at the European Court of Human Rights while also facing trial in a separate case involving charges of accepting illegal campaign financing in an alleged pact with the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. A verdict in this case is expected in September.

Sarkozy, who denies the charges, could face a seven-year prison term if prosecutors succeed.

Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy maintains a political presence in right-wing circles in France and regularly meets with President Emmanuel Macron. During his presidency, Sarkozy collaborated closely with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, especially during the eurozone crisis, earning them the nickname "Merkozy."