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| Former French PM's trial to start | Former French PM's trial to start |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The former French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, goes on trial on Monday charged with plotting to discredit President Nicolas Sarkozy. | The former French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, goes on trial on Monday charged with plotting to discredit President Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| It is alleged that Mr de Villepin tried to manipulate a judicial investigation to hurt Mr Sarkozy's chances of winning the 2007 presidential election. | |
| If found guilty, Mr de Villepin could face up to five years in jail and a 45,000 euro fine (£41,000). | If found guilty, Mr de Villepin could face up to five years in jail and a 45,000 euro fine (£41,000). |
| The former prime minister denies any wrong-doing. | The former prime minister denies any wrong-doing. |
| The case dates back five years, when Nicolas Sarkozy's name appeared on a list of top politicians and businessmen sent to Dominique de Villepin. | The case dates back five years, when Nicolas Sarkozy's name appeared on a list of top politicians and businessmen sent to Dominique de Villepin. |
| It was alleged those named on the list had received bribes from international arms sales. | It was alleged those named on the list had received bribes from international arms sales. |
| When a judge concluded the listings were false, the focus of the investigation quickly became who was behind the spurious allegations. | When a judge concluded the listings were false, the focus of the investigation quickly became who was behind the spurious allegations. |
| Magistrates want to know whether that person was Mr de Villepin, and whether he attempted to conduct a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy to spoil his chances of winning the presidential election. | Magistrates want to know whether that person was Mr de Villepin, and whether he attempted to conduct a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy to spoil his chances of winning the presidential election. |
| The hearing is expected to last at least four weeks, but a verdict is not expected until several months later. | The hearing is expected to last at least four weeks, but a verdict is not expected until several months later. |