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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Former French PM's trial to start | Former French PM's trial to start |
| (21 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. | 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 (£41,000) fine. | If found guilty, Mr de Villepin could face up to five years in jail and a 45,000 euro (£41,000) fine. |
| The former prime minister denies any wrongdoing. | The former prime minister denies any wrongdoing. |
| Intense rivalry | Intense rivalry |
| The case dates back five years, when Nicolas Sarkozy's name appeared on a list of top politicians and businessmen sent to Mr de Villepin. 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, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says. | When a judge concluded the listings were false, the focus of the investigation quickly became who was behind the spurious allegations, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says. |
| Murky tale behind French PM's trial | |
| 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. |
| Mr de Villepin was questioned over the so-called "Clearstream affair" in December 2006 and has been under investigation since 2007. | Mr de Villepin was questioned over the so-called "Clearstream affair" in December 2006 and has been under investigation since 2007. |
| The name Clearstream comes from the Luxembourg bank where the individuals on the list - including Mr Sarkozy - were supposed to be account holders. | The name Clearstream comes from the Luxembourg bank where the individuals on the list - including Mr Sarkozy - were supposed to be account holders. |
| Mr Sarkozy is a plaintiff in the trial but as president will not have to testify. | Mr Sarkozy is a plaintiff in the trial but as president will not have to testify. |
| 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. |
| Mr de Villepin and Mr Sarkozy were both ministers under President Jacques Chirac, but were intense rivals. | Mr de Villepin and Mr Sarkozy were both ministers under President Jacques Chirac, but were intense rivals. |
| Mr de Villepin was preferred by Mr Chirac, but it was Mr Sarkozy who won party support to succeed the president. | Mr de Villepin was preferred by Mr Chirac, but it was Mr Sarkozy who won party support to succeed the president. |