Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy found himself in the dockreports BFM TV.
65-year-old politician is accused of corruption and trading in influence. Together with the former President of France, his lawyer Thierry Erzogh and a former high-ranking official of the Court of Cassation Gilbert Azibert are involved in the case. The hearings are due to last until December 10.
The investigation believes that through his lawyer the former French leader could have promised Aziber a position in Monaco. In exchange, he was supposed to provide confidential information about another investigation: it concerned charges of illegal financing of Sarkozy’s presidential campaign in 2007 by the heiress of the French company L’Oreal Liliane Bettencourt .
Sarkozy denies his guilt: he points out that Aziber did not receive any post in Monaco. The colleagues of Erzog’s lawyer present at the hearing believe that the charges brought against him are “a heavy attack on the entire profession.” The accused could face fines of up to one million euros and ten years in prison.
October 16 Sarkozy charged with creating a “criminal community” in connection with Libya’s alleged funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. In 2018, he was already charged with passive corruption, illegal campaign finance, and concealment of Libyan public funds.
According to the investigation, in 2007, Sarkozy during a meeting with Bettencourt received 150 thousand euros in cash from her. He allegedly used this money to finance his election campaign. According to French law, candidates are prohibited from accepting donations of more than 4.6 thousand euros.
Nicolas Sarkozy was President of France from 2007 to 2012.