France’s ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy charged with corruption

PARIS // France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy has been charged with corruption and influence peddling, French prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The dramatic move in a criminal probe could wreck his hopes of a political comeback.

The decision came after Mr Sarkozy was questioned for 15 hours, marking the first time a French former head-of-state had been taken into custody for a criminal investigation.

The right-wing leader had been detained at a police station in a Paris suburb over a suspected attempt to illegally influence judicial proceedings in one of a raft of colourful corruption cases he is implicated in.

After the questioning, the former president was brought before a judge, where he was “mis en examen” – or put under formal investigation in what amounts to being charged, based on preliminary evidence – according to a statement by the prosecution.

He was later released while investigations continued.

If convicted of the charges, Mr Sarkozy could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday Mr Sarkozy should be seen as innocent until proven guilty.

In a cabinet session, Mr Hollande insisted on “the independence of the judiciary... and the presumption of innocence”, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls has denied suggestions that Mr Sarkozy was being hounded by the Socialist government. “It’s not us who are asking these judges to launch investigations,” he said.

Mr Sarkozy’s longtime lawyer Thierry Herzog and a magistrate, Gilbert Azibert – taken into custody a day earlier – were both charged with influence peddling in a late night court appearance, their lawyers said.

Investigators suspect Mr Sarkozy tried to obtain inside information from one of the magistrates about confidential proceedings in an illegal election campaign financing case, and that he was tipped off by a senior figure when judges tapped his phones.

Mr Sarkozy, 59, has faced virtually non-stop legal battles since he left office following his defeat by Socialist candidate Francois Hollande in the 2012 presidential vote.

He had been expected to attempt a political comeback in time for the next presidential poll in 2017, but those plans could be scuppered after being charged in this case.

He vehemently denies any wrongdoing, and his allies have denounced the latest incident as a witch-hunt against him.

* Agence France-Presse