This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8484433.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| France awaiting verdict on ex-PM | France awaiting verdict on ex-PM |
| (9 minutes 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 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 href="/2/hi/europe/8266018.stm">Murky tale behind French PM's trial | |
| 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 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr de Villepin is not accused of drawing up the list, but of knowing it was false and failing to stop the conspiracy. | 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". | 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 45,000 euros (£39,000). | Prosecutors have called for him to receive an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros (£39,000). |
| The former French minister is one of five people on trial over the scandal. They all deny any wrongdoing. | The former French minister is one of five people on trial over the scandal. They all deny any wrongdoing. |
| New challenge? | 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. | 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |