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On charges of “attempted bribery of a judge and abuse of influence,” the trial of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy begins Monday.
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Sarkozy faces a possible 10 years in prison and a fine of one million euros on charges of corruption and abuse of influence (AFP)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will appear in court on Monday, charged with “attempted bribery of a judge and abuse of influence.”
Prosecutors say Sarkozy “offered a wonderful job in Monaco to Judge Gilbert Azibert, in exchange for secret information about an investigation into Sarkozy’s acceptance of illegal payments from” L’Oreal “heir Lilian Bettencourt for his presidential campaign 2007.
Since 2013, investigators have been listening to phone calls between Sarkozy and his lawyer, Thierry Herzog, as they investigate suspicions of financing the 2007 election campaign in Libya.
In turn, prosecutors confirmed that “wiretapping operations revealed that Sarkozy and Herzog had discussed contact with Azibert on multiple occasions,” noting that the former French president “offered to help Azibert get a job in Monaco in exchange for assistance from within “.
Sarkozy said he is heading to court with a “fighting spirit” as part of this unprecedented trial, which will also be tried by his lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and retired judge Gilbert Azibert.
Sarkozy, who retired from politics after losing the primaries at the end of 2016, faces a possible 10-year prison sentence and a € 1 million fine on charges of corruption and abuse of influence.
He is also on trial, like the other two men, for “breaching professional secrecy”.
The trial, which is expected to continue until Dec. 10, will be subject to the risks posed by the Covid-19 epidemic and a request for a postponement submitted by Azibir, 73, for health reasons.
Nicolas Sarkozy expects another trial next spring, in the “Pygmalion” case, for the costs of his 2012 election campaign that he lost to Francois Hollande.
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