Sarkozy charged in corruption probe
The former conservative party leader, whose political comeback has been floated by his faltering UMP party, had been in custody answering questions from judicial officials. His personal lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and magistrate Gilbert Azibert were also questioned.
Sarkozy is accused of tapping political allies to gain intelligence on a flurry of probes linked to campaign finance. He has vigorously denied wrongdoing.
“This situation is serious. The facts are serious,” French prime minister Manuel Valls told BFM television.
“But as head of the government, I’m asking that we remember the independence of the justice system, which must carry out its work serenely. No one is above the law is the second principle. And thirdly, an important reminder, there is the presumption of innocence.”
At the heart of the investigations are allegations that Sarkozy took €50 million in illegal campaign funds from Libya’s late dictator.
Valls said the investigation was being carried out by the new financial crime force independently of the Socialist government, which defeated Sarkozy in the 2012 election.
“This is yet another thing to erode the image of the political class, because it gives the image of an all-powerful group that believes itself to be above the law,” said Jean Garrigues, a political historian at the University of Orleans and the Sorbonne.
Lawyers for Herzog and Azibert said the men were handed preliminary charges of influence trafficking.
After further investigation, judges will determine whether to hold a trial.
The French daily Le Monde says the questioning centres around whether Mr Sarkozy and his lawyer were kept informed about the investigation into the Libyan allegations by Mr Azibert in exchange for promises of a post in Monaco.
He did not receive a job in Monaco and Mr Sarkozy has vigorously denied wrongdoing.
Suspicions are based at least in part on taped phone conversations between Mr Sarkozy and Mr Herzog.
Mr Herzog’s lawyer, Paul-Albert Iweins, sharply criticised the decision to take the men into custody for questioning, which lasted into the early hours of yesterday.
“None of these men is going to flee, they are not going to ignore a summons,” he told France Info.
