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Former French President Sarkozy placed under investigation France's ex-President Sarkozy put under investigation
(about 1 hour later)
Ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under formal investigation over alleged influence peddling.Ex-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 in Paris late on Tuesday after 15 hours of questioning by anti-corruption police.
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, and a magistrate, Gilbert Azibert, were also placed under formal investigation over the same allegations.
A magistrate, Gilbert Azibert, also appeared before a judge. A second magistrate called in for questioning, Patrick Sassoust, had not appeared before a judge as of Tuesday night.
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 The step often, but not always, leads to trial. Influence-peddling can be punished by up to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros (£400,000; $684,000).
The inquiry began when judges examined allegations that Mr Sarkozy had received illegal funding for his re-election campaign from the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. 'Not a lot'
Mr Sarkozy was released from custody around midnight (22:00 GMT) after appearing in court in Paris.
He had been brought to the court from the judicial police office in Nanterre, west of the French capital, where he had been interrogated.
Paul-Albert Iweins, the lawyer representing Mr Herzog, said the case rested only on "phone taps... whose legal basis will be strongly contested".
"There's not a lot in this dossier, since none of the material elements of what I've seen, and what we could contest, support the accusations," he added.
The inquiry arose out of a separate investigation into whether Mr Sarkozy had received illegal funding for his election campaign in 2007 from the late 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 Gaddafi inquiry.
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 ParisAnalysis: The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris
Mr Sarkozy is a step closer to coming to trial. The judges investigating this have decided that there is a case to answer although a trial is not inevitable. It does mean that there is a much bigger, darker cloud of suspicion hanging over him.Mr Sarkozy is a step closer to coming to trial. The judges investigating this have decided that there is a case to answer although a trial is not inevitable. It does mean that there is a much bigger, darker cloud of suspicion hanging over him.
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 detention raises 'plot' suspicionsSarkozy detention raises 'plot' suspicions
DiariesDiaries
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 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.