This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28103223
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| French ex-President Sarkozy held over influence claims | 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. |
| Mr Sarkozy is being held at Nanterre, near Paris, in an unprecedented step against a former president. | Mr Sarkozy is being held at Nanterre, near Paris, in 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, 59, 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, 59, who was president from 2007 to 2012, had promised a prestigious role in Monaco to a high-ranking judge in exchange for information. |
| They are looking into claims that he was warned his phone was being bugged as part of an inquiry into alleged illegal campaign funding. | |
| Gilbert Azibert, one of the most senior judges at the court of appeal, was had been 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. | 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. | 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. | Investigators will be able to hold Mr Sarkozy for an initial period of 24 hours but can extend custody for another day. |
| It is alleged that Mr Sarkozy was kept informed of proceedings against him while a decision was being made over whether his work diaries should be kept in the hands of the justice system. | It is alleged that Mr Sarkozy was kept informed of proceedings against him while a decision was being made over whether his work diaries should be kept in the hands of the justice system. |
| The investigators believe the former president was tipped off that his phone was being bugged. | The investigators believe the former president was tipped off that his phone was being bugged. |
| Mr Sarkozy insists the the allegations against him are politically motivated. | Mr Sarkozy insists the the allegations against him are politically motivated. |
| But the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says it is clear they represent another obstacle in the way of his planned return to frontline French politics. | But the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says it is clear they represent another obstacle in the way of his planned return to frontline French politics. |
| The former president is seeking to regain the leadership of the centre-right UMP party later this year. |