Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on trial for witness tampering

A Paris court on Friday placed former French president Nicolas Sarkozy under formal investigation for alleged witness tampering and fraud as part of a probe into the funding of his successful 2007 election campaign.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy reacts as he signs copies of his last book during a signing session, in Arcachon, southwestern France, on August 25, 2023. AFP - CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT

"Nicolas Sarkozy is firmly determined to assert his rights, establish the truth, and defend his honor," wrote lawyers Jean-Michel Darrois and Christophe Ingrain in a statement sent to French press agency AFP.

Sarkozy is accused of "interfering with a witness" and "criminal association with a view to committing fraud", according to AFP.

A key witness in that case, Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, had claimed he delivered three suitcases stuffed with a total of 5 million euros in cash in 2006 and 2007.

The former French president had been questioned by a judge since Tuesday as part of a probe launched in May 2021, after Takieddine retracted earlier statements about having delivered Libyan funds in France.

Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine speaks to media as he arrives at Paris courthouse on October 7. Bertrand GUAY / AFP

But in 2020 Takieddine suddenly retracted his incriminating statement, raising suspicions that Sarkozy may have put pressure on the witness to change his mind.

The 68-year-old has already been convicted twice for corruption and influence peddling in separate cases involving attempts to influence a judge and campaign financing.

Sarkozy, who ran France from 2007 to 2012, has appealed against both judgements.

• Ex-President Sarkzoy sentenced to year in prison for illegal campaign funding

Nicolas Sarkozy mis en examen dans l’enquête sur la fausse rétractation de Takieddine

Par @fabricearfi, @karl_laske et @AnttonRouget https://t.co/4y5apL8FaW

— Mediapart (@Mediapart) October 6, 2023

At least nine other people are under suspicion of participating in the alleged conspiracy, which investigators said may have involved payment to Takieddine.

Some of the suspects are also believed to have attempted to bribe a Lebanese judge to obtain the release of Kadhafi's son held in Lebanon – in the hope of getting the Libyan leader to help Sarkozy persuade the French judiciary of his innocence.

Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing.

(with newswires)