Sarkozy detained in campaign corruption probe
Print Edition
FORMER French President Nicolas Sarkozy was detained yesterday and reportedly questioned by financial investigators in a corruption probe that could cloud his chances of a political comeback.
The detention — a very unusual move for such a high-level figure — dominated French news broadcasts. The investigation is the latest in a string of probes to target the former leader.
Yet Sarkozy has not been convicted of anything, remains well-known internationally — and may be his troubled conservative party’s best chance to regain the presidency in 2017.
A judicial official said Sarkozy was detained for questioning yesterday at the headquarters of the judicial police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The official, who was not authorized to be publicly named, would not elaborate.
Sarkozy could be held up to 24 hours, which could be extended for another day. His lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and a magistrate, Gilbert Azibert, were also held for questioning.
French media reports say Sarkozy is being questioned in an investigation linked to financing for his 2007 presidential campaign, notably allegations that late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi gave Sarkozy millions of euros in illegal campaign donations.
The case centers around whether Sarkozy and his lawyer were kept informed about the investigation by a friendly magistrate, Azibert.
Sarkozy and Herzog have denied wrongdoing. Azibert’s lawyer said he hoped the detention would be over by evening.
Investigators are basing suspicions at least in part on tapped phone conversations between Sarkozy and his lawyer. The tapping raised questions about the limits between investigative needs and individual privacy. Sarkozy compared the situation to actions by the secret police in the old East Germany.
Allies from Sarkozy’s conservative UMP party — which has been in a leadership crisis because of questions about spending during Sarkozy’s 2012 presidential campaign — jumped to the former president’s defense. “They have never imposed such treatment on a former president, with such a surge of hate,” lawmaker Christian Estrosi tweeted.
Former French president Jacques Chirac was convicted in a corruption investigation in 2011 after he left office, but when he was questioned he was not held in police custody.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
