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France awaiting verdict on ex-PM France awaiting verdict on ex-PM
(about 6 hours later)
A Paris court is due to hand down its verdict in the trial of former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.A Paris court is due to hand down its verdict in the trial of former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.
He is accused of plotting to discredit the then interior minister and now president, Nicolas Sarkozy.He is accused of plotting to discredit the then interior minister and now president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
The charges, which Mr de Villepin denies, date back to a judicial investigation in 2004.The charges, which Mr de Villepin denies, date back to a judicial investigation in 2004.
It is alleged that he tried to manipulate the corruption investigation to spoil Mr Sarkozy's chances of winning the 2007 election.It is alleged that he tried to manipulate the corruption investigation to spoil Mr Sarkozy's chances of winning the 2007 election.
After a dramatic, and often explosive, month-long trial, Dominique de Villepin will now find out if he is to be "hanged from a butcher's hook" - as political rival Mr Sarkozy once threatened would be his fate - or whether he will emerge completely exonerated, as he says he expects.After a dramatic, and often explosive, month-long trial, Dominique de Villepin will now find out if he is to be "hanged from a butcher's hook" - as political rival Mr Sarkozy once threatened would be his fate - or whether he will emerge completely exonerated, as he says he expects.
The former French prime minister is accused of trying to smear the French president's name five years ago, in the days when both men were manoeuvring to succeed Jacques Chirac as president. THE CLEARSTREAM ACCUSED Dominique de Villepin: Former PM, 55, denies accusations he tried to circulate details of Sarkozy's illegal bank accounts, even though he knew they were fakeJean-Louis Gergorin: Former Airbus VP, 63, accused of faking Clearstream bank accounts as part of Airbus power-struggle, says he accepted accounts in good faithImad Lahoud: Computer expert, 42, says he faked Clearstream accounts on Gergorin's behalf, introducing Sarkozy's name on Villepin's instructionsFlorian Bourges: Accountant, 31, accused of stealing Clearstream documents and breach of trustDenis Robert: Journalist and author, 41, who broke the story, accused of dealing in stolen property and breach of trust class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8266018.stm">Murky tale behind French PM's trial
Nicolas Sarkozy's name appeared on a list sent to the former French prime minister of top politicians and businessmen who were wrongly linked to an illegal bank account in Luxembourg. The former French prime minister is accused of trying to smear the French president's name, in the days when both men were manoeuvring to succeed Jacques Chirac as president.
The case dates back more than 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.It was alleged those named on the list had received bribes from international arms sales.
Dominique de Villepin is accused of failing to stop the conspiracy. Prosecutors have called for him to receive an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of $70,000 (50,000 euros). When a judge concluded the listings were false, the focus of the investigation quickly became who was behind the spurious allegations, says the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris.
The former French minister denies any wrongdoing and is hoping to rekindle his political career in time to re-challenge Nicolas Sarkozy in the next presidential elections in 2012. Mr de Villepin is not accused of drawing up the list, but of knowing it was false and failing to stop the conspiracy.
He is charged with "complicity in false accusation, complicity in using forgeries, receipt of stolen property and breach of trust".
Prosecutors have called for him to receive an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of $70,000 (50,000 euros).
The former French minister is one of five people on trial over the scandal. They all deny any wrongdoing.
New challenge?
The name Clearstream comes from the Luxembourg bank where the individuals on the list - including Mr Sarkozy - were supposed to be account holders.
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.
If he is cleared Mr de Villepin is hoping to rekindle his political career. It is thought he may re-challenge Mr Sarkozy in the next presidential elections in 2012.