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-28122473
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Former French President Sarkozy placed under investigation | Former French President Sarkozy placed under investigation |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under formal investigation over alleged influence peddling. | |
| He appeared before a judge late on Tuesday, after presenting himself early that morning for police questioning, which lasted 15 hours. | He appeared before a judge late on Tuesday, after presenting himself early that morning for police questioning, which lasted 15 hours. |
| This is thought to be the first time a former French head of state has been held in police custody. | This is thought to be the first time a former French head of state has been held in police custody. |
| Mr Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, was also placed under formal investigation as part of the same case. | Mr Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, was also placed under formal investigation as part of the same case. |
| A magistrate, Gilbert Azibert, also appeared before a judge. | A magistrate, Gilbert Azibert, also appeared before a judge. |
| When a suspect is placed under formal investigation, he or she is then examined by a judge, who determines whether there is sufficient evidence for the suspect to be charged. | When a suspect is placed under formal investigation, he or she is then examined by a judge, who determines whether there is sufficient evidence for the suspect to be charged. |
| Phone-bugging claim | Phone-bugging claim |
| The inquiry began when judges examined allegations that Mr Sarkozy received illegal funding for his re-election campaign from the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. | The inquiry began when judges examined allegations that Mr Sarkozy received illegal funding for his re-election campaign from the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. |
| Mr Sarkozy is hoping to challenge again for the presidency in 2017 and the inquiry is seen as a blow to his hopes of returning to office. | Mr Sarkozy is hoping to challenge again for the presidency in 2017 and the inquiry is seen as a blow to his hopes of returning to office. |
| 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 Mr Azibert, in exchange for information about an investigation into alleged illegal campaign funding. | 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 Mr Azibert, in exchange for information about an investigation into alleged illegal campaign funding. |
| They are looking into claims that Mr Sarkozy was warned his phone was being bugged as part of the funding probe. | They are looking into claims that Mr Sarkozy was warned his phone was being bugged as part of the funding probe. |
| Mr Azibert, one of the most senior judges at the court of appeal, was called in for questioning on Monday as was another judge, Patrick Sassoust. | Mr Azibert, one of the most senior judges at the court of appeal, was called in for questioning on Monday as was another judge, Patrick Sassoust. |
| Mr Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was given a suspended prison sentence in 2011 for embezzlement and breach of trust while he was mayor of Paris. But he was never questioned in custody. | Mr Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was given a suspended prison sentence in 2011 for embezzlement and breach of trust while he was mayor of Paris. But he was never questioned in custody. |
| Analysis: The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris | Analysis: The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris |
| The drip-drip of allegations about Mr Sarkozy, money-raising and misuse of influence, continue to disrupt his much-touted return to frontline politics. Over the past two years the French have become used to regular stories in the press raising awkward questions about their former president's ethics. | The drip-drip of allegations about Mr Sarkozy, money-raising and misuse of influence, continue to disrupt his much-touted return to frontline politics. Over the past two years the French have become used to regular stories in the press raising awkward questions about their former president's ethics. |
| Worried by the prying of investigators into claims of illegal party fund-raising, it is alleged that Mr Sarkozy used a judge as point-man in the High Court of Appeal to tell him how proceedings against him were progressing. More serious is whether this judge tried to influence decisions in Mr Sarkozy's favour. | Worried by the prying of investigators into claims of illegal party fund-raising, it is alleged that Mr Sarkozy used a judge as point-man in the High Court of Appeal to tell him how proceedings against him were progressing. More serious is whether this judge tried to influence decisions in Mr Sarkozy's favour. |
| Mr Sarkozy's supporters accuse the investigators of themselves being politically influenced - by the ruling left. How come, they ask, that every time Mr Sarkozy makes a move back towards political life, the media are fed a new twist in the investigations? One side says it is dogged police work. The other says it is harassment. | Mr Sarkozy's supporters accuse the investigators of themselves being politically influenced - by the ruling left. How come, they ask, that every time Mr Sarkozy makes a move back towards political life, the media are fed a new twist in the investigations? One side says it is dogged police work. The other says it is harassment. |
| Sarkozy and France's investigators | Sarkozy and France's investigators |
| Diaries | Diaries |
| An investigation was launched in February into whether Mr Sarkozy had sought inside information about the inquiry into his 2007 election campaign funding. | An investigation was launched in February into whether Mr Sarkozy had sought inside information about the inquiry into his 2007 election campaign funding. |
| It has been claimed that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi helped fund the campaign. | It has been claimed that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi helped fund the campaign. |
| It is alleged that Mr Sarkozy was kept informed of proceedings against him while a decision was made over whether his work diaries - seized as part of the funding inquiry - 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 made over whether his work diaries - seized as part of the funding inquiry - should be kept in the hands of the justice system. |
| The Court of Cassation ruled in March 2014 that the diaries should not be returned. | The Court of Cassation ruled in March 2014 that the diaries should not be returned. |
| Investigators believe the former president was tipped off that his phone was being bugged as part of the inquiry. | Investigators believe the former president was tipped off that his phone was being bugged as part of the inquiry. |
| Mr Sarkozy insists the allegations against him are politically motivated. | Mr Sarkozy insists 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. | The former president is seeking to regain the leadership of the centre-right UMP party later this year. |