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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy: Case against me 'political' | Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy: Case against me 'political' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy has said the French justice system is being used for "political ends" after he was placed under formal investigation for influence peddling. | Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy has said the French justice system is being used for "political ends" after he was placed under formal investigation for influence peddling. |
| In a TV interview, Mr Sarkozy denied committing any unlawful act. | |
| He said the "grotesque" case against him had been intended to humiliate him and harm his reputation. | |
| It is alleged Mr Sarkozy sought insider information from a judge about an inquiry into illegal campaign funding. | It is alleged Mr Sarkozy sought insider information from a judge about an inquiry into illegal campaign funding. |
| Mr Sarkozy was detained on Tuesday for questioning - the first time a former French head of state has been held in police custody. | Mr Sarkozy was detained on Tuesday for questioning - the first time a former French head of state has been held in police custody. |
| The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says Mr Sarkozy's clear accusation is that left-wing elements in the judiciary are trying to bring him down and prevent his return to politics. | The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says Mr Sarkozy's clear accusation is that left-wing elements in the judiciary are trying to bring him down and prevent his return to politics. |
| Opponents of the former president say his counter-attack is typical of the man and a bid to deflect attention away from the allegations, our correspondent adds. | Opponents of the former president say his counter-attack is typical of the man and a bid to deflect attention away from the allegations, our correspondent adds. |
| 'Deeply shocked' | 'Deeply shocked' |
| The interview, which was recorded for TF1 television and Europe 1 radio, was broadcast on Wednesday evening. | |
| In it Mr Sarkozy said: "The situation is sufficiently serious to tell the French people where we stand on the political exploitation of part of the legal system today. | |
| "I say to all those who are listening or watching that I have never betrayed them and have never committed an act against the Republic's principles and the rule of law." | "I say to all those who are listening or watching that I have never betrayed them and have never committed an act against the Republic's principles and the rule of law." |
| Mr Sarkozy said he is "deeply shocked" by the investigation and he accused the Syndicat de la Magistrature trade union of seeking to destroy him. | |
| "Everything is being done to give me a reputation that is not true," he said. | |
| Mr Sarkozy added: "In our country, which is the country of human rights and the rule of law, there are things that are being organised. | |
| "The French need to know what they are and, in conscience and freedom, judge what to make of it." | "The French need to know what they are and, in conscience and freedom, judge what to make of it." |
| He also expressed his anger at the way he was summoned, saying there "was an intention to humiliate" him with the formal detention. | |
| Earlier, Prime Minister Manuel Valls insisted the investigation was being carried out independently of the Socialist government. | |
| Talking to French TV, he said "no one is above the law" but added that it was important to remember "there is the presumption of innocence." | |
| Campaign financing | Campaign financing |
| Mr Sarkozy was released from custody around midnight (22:00 GMT Tuesday) after appearing in court in Paris. | Mr Sarkozy was released from custody around midnight (22:00 GMT Tuesday) after appearing in court in Paris. |
| 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. |
| The step often, but not always, leads to trial. Influence-peddling can be punished by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros (£120,000; $205,000). | The step often, but not always, leads to trial. Influence-peddling can be punished by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros (£120,000; $205,000). |
| Investigations into Sarkozy | Investigations into Sarkozy |
| July 2014: Placed under formal investigation on suspicion of peddling influence to obtain details from a magistrate about legal proceedings against him in 2013 | July 2014: Placed under formal investigation on suspicion of peddling influence to obtain details from a magistrate about legal proceedings against him in 2013 |
| October 2013: A criminal investigation into allegations he solicited secret campaign financing in 2007 from France's richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt, is dropped | October 2013: A criminal investigation into allegations he solicited secret campaign financing in 2007 from France's richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt, is dropped |
| April 2013: Judges open an inquiry into allegations that the Gaddafi regime helped finance his 2007 election campaign | April 2013: Judges open an inquiry into allegations that the Gaddafi regime helped finance his 2007 election campaign |
| Mr Sarkozy was also named as a witness in February 2014 in an investigation into funding for Edouard Balladur's unsuccessful presidential bid in 1995. | Mr Sarkozy was also named as a witness in February 2014 in an investigation into funding for Edouard Balladur's unsuccessful presidential bid in 1995. |
| A number of other inquiries are under way into wrongdoing by senior officials during his presidency, in which he has not figured directly. | A number of other inquiries are under way into wrongdoing by senior officials during his presidency, in which he has not figured directly. |
| 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 senior prosecutor Gilbert Azibert in exchange for information about the investigation into 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 senior prosecutor Gilbert Azibert in exchange for information about the investigation into illegal campaign funding. |
| Mr Azibert was never given the job. | Mr Azibert was never given the job. |
| The inquiry into funding is looking into whether Mr Sarkozy received illegal donations for the 2007 election campaign from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. | The inquiry into funding is looking into whether Mr Sarkozy received illegal donations for the 2007 election campaign from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. |
| Mr Sarkozy is hoping to challenge again for the presidency in 2017 and the allegations are 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 allegations are seen as a blow to his hopes of returning to office. |
| Mr Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and Mr Azibert have also been placed under formal investigation. | Mr Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and Mr Azibert have also been placed under formal investigation. |