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Nicolas Sarkozy faces criminal charge after being placed under investigation Nicolas Sarkozy faces criminal charge after being placed under investigation
(35 minutes later)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was placed under formal investigation by magistrates in Paris on Wednesday morning on suspicion of influence peddling and other crimes in connection with a campaign leaks probe, the prosecutor's office said. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was placed under formal investigation on Wednesday, the prosecutor's office said, on suspicions he tried to use his influence to thwart an investigation of his 2007 election campaign.
It was the second time the former president, who was defeated by socialist Francois Hollande in 2012, was placed under such a judicial probe since he lost his legal immunity after leaving office. Sarkozy has denied any wrongdoing. It is the latest blow to Sarkozy's hopes of a comeback after his 2012 election defeat by socialist rival Francois Hollande. The conservative politician denies all wrongdoing in a string of investigations in which he is either directly or indirectly implicated.
Under French law, being placed under formal investigation indicates there exists "serious or consistent evidence" pointing to probable implication of a suspect in a crime. Sarkozy is being investigated on suspicion he used his influence to secure leaked details of an inquiry into alleged irregularities in his victorious 2007 election campaign.
The case relates to suspicions he used his influence to get information on an investigation into funding irregularities in his victorious 2007 election campaign. He is accused of influence peddling, corruption and benefiting from "the breach of professional secrets," the prosecutor's office said.
He was informed of the investigation during the early hours of Wednesday by investigating magistrates after he had been held until nearly midnight on Tuesday in police custody.
A few hours earlier, Sarkozy's attorney and a judge involved in the case were similarly placed under formal investigation on suspicion of influence peddling, their attorneys said.
Placing a suspect under formal investigation means there exists "serious or consistent evidence" pointing to probable implication of a suspect in a crime. Influence-peddling can be punished by up to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros ($682,000).
It was the second time the ex-president, who lost presidential immunity from legal prosecution a month after he left office in June 2012, was placed under such a judicial probe. The first time occurred in 2013 but the case was later dropped against him.