Sarkozy takes on old enemy in fight that will hurt politicians and judges

With hopes of a comeback in jeopardy, the former president is accusing magistrates of a vendetta, writes Alexandria Sage

In accusing magistrates of persecuting him, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is taking on an old enemy in a fight that could hurt both politicians and judges, fuelling a sense of public disenchantment with France’s ruling elite.

Sarkozy’s hopes of winning back power suffered a heavy blow when, after 15 hours in police custody, he was placed under formal investigation on July 2, suspected of using his influence to gain details of a probe into his 2007 election campaign.