François Fillon, former French Prime Minister, has been definitively rejected by the European Court of Human Rights (CEDH) in his appeal against his conviction in the fictitious jobs scandal involving his wife Penelope. The court, in a unanimous decision, declared Fillon’s request inadmissible due to 'manifest lack of grounds,' ruling that his claim of not receiving a fair trial was unfounded. Fillon had filed the appeal in August 2024, alleging that the French justice system lacked independence and impartiality, citing pressures from the prosecutor during the pre-trial phase and questioning the appointment process of magistrates. The court dismissed these claims, affirming that the overall procedure was fair. Fillon had been convicted in June 2025 of embezzlement of public funds, receiving a four-year suspended prison sentence, a €375,000 fine, and a five-year ineligibility period, related to the fictitious employment of his wife at the National Assembly. He also claimed that the criminal offense of embezzlement did not apply to parliamentarians, but this argument was also rejected since he had not raised it in French courts. During his 2017 presidential campaign, Fillon criticized the European Court of Human Rights, threatening to withdraw France from the organization if elected. Nicolas Sarkozy, another former French president, had also proposed modifying the European Convention on Human Rights following his own convictions. The case, known as 'Penelopegate,' significantly impacted Fillon’s political career, leading to his exclusion from the presidential race and subsequent legal proceedings. The court’s rejection of his appeal marks a definitive legal setback for Fillon in this long-running scandal.