Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Nicolas Sarkozy, Former French President, Detained For Questioning In Corruption Probe

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was held on Tuesday for questioning into suspicions that a network of informers kept him abreast of a separate inquiry into alleged irregularities in his 2007 election campaign, a legal source told Reuters.

It is the first time a former head of state had been held for questioning in modern French history.


"Mr. Sarkozy has been summoned to Nanterre and is being held for questioning," the source told Reuters.

Asked about the matter, French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said Sarkozy was "subject to justice just like everyone else."

Reports Reuters:
[T[he focus of an investigation launched in February [is] into whether [Sarkozy] sought to use his influence to get information about a separate inquiry into allegations that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi funded his 2007 election campaign.

Investigators suspect Sarkozy and his lawyer kept tabs on the case by using a network of well-connected informants, which only came to light following phone taps...
Two legal officers with prosecutor roles, Gilbert Azibert and Patrick Sassoust, are also being held for questioning. Investigators suspect Sarkozy had sought to get Azibert a promotion to Monaco in exchange for information.

The case is one of six legal investigations involving Sarkozy, including a new one this year into separate irregularities in his unsuccessful 2012 election campaign. 

1 comment:

  1. "subject to justice just like everyone else." like everybody else not conected to the power elite.

    ReplyDelete