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| French ex-President Sarkozy held over influence claims | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy has been detained for questioning over alleged influence peddling. | French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy has been detained for questioning over alleged influence peddling. |
| The decision to detain him at Nanterre, near Paris, is an unprecedented step against a former president. | The decision to detain him at Nanterre, near Paris, is an unprecedented step against a former president. |
| Mr Sarkozy's lawyer was questioned on Monday on suspicion of seeking inside information about a case against the former leader. | Mr Sarkozy's lawyer was questioned on Monday on suspicion of seeking inside information about a case against the former leader. |
| The latest developments are seen as a blow to Mr Sarkozy's attempts to challenge for the presidency in 2017. | The latest developments are seen as a blow to Mr Sarkozy's attempts to challenge for the presidency in 2017. |
| Investigators are trying to find out whether Mr Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, had promised a prestigious role in Monaco to a high-ranking judge in exchange for information. | Investigators are trying to find out whether Mr Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, had promised a prestigious role in Monaco to a high-ranking judge in exchange for information. |
| Gilbert Azibert, one of the most senior judges at the court of appeal, was also called in for questioning on Monday. Another judge, Patrick Sassoust, was also held. | |
| The decision to detain Mr Sarkozy is thought to be the first time a French former head of state has been held in police custody. | |
| His predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was however given a suspended prison sentence in 2011 for embezzlement and breach of trust while he was mayor of Paris. | |
| Investigators will be able to hold Mr Sarkozy for an initial period of 24 hours but can extend custody for another day. |