Former French President Officially Investigated
Mr. Sarkozyis accused of accepting thousands of euros from L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, now 90. He has denied taking advantage of the billionaire's finances. His lawyers said they would appeal the "incoherent and unfair decision".
Former President of FranceNicolas Sarkozy.Photo: wordpress
Magistrate Judge Jean-Michel Gentil unexpectedly summoned Mr Sarkozy for a face-to-face meeting with Mrs Bettencourt's butler Pascal Bonnefoy in the city.
While Mr Sarkozy claimed to have met her only once that year, the butler gave a different figure. After the summons, prosecutors said the former president was being formally investigated "for taking advantage of a vulnerable person in 2007 to the detriment of Liliane Bettencourt".
Investigators will continue to review the case before deciding whether Sarkozy will face trial. The former French president has previously hinted that he is considering running for president in 2017. Observers say the results of the investigation could determine whether Sarkozy returns to politics.
Last July, police searched Mr Sarkozy's home and office after he lost his immunity from criminal prosecution.
In November, Mr Sarkozy was summoned as a "witness", meaning he could be suspected but not formally accused.
Ms Bettencourt's former accountant told police that Ms Bettencourt handed over more than 150,000 euros ($192,000) in cash, which she was told was going to Mr Sarkozy's campaign treasurer. The amount was far more than the 7,500 euro limit on individual donations to political parties.
In return, Ms Bettencourt was promised a huge tax break on her vast fortune after Mr Sarkozy took office. Also in July, a magistrate ordered the seizure of the former French president’s diaries to see what he was doing at the time the money was transferred.
If prosecuted and convicted, Mr Sarkozy could face jail time. He is likely to receive a suspended sentence, like his predecessor Jacques Chirac.
During his term in office, President Sarkozy's reputation was somewhat tarnished by judicial investigations involving his close associates and allies. Although these scandals have been reported by the press for a long time, many details have not been clarified due to constitutional provisions. According to the 1958 Constitution, the president is granted temporary immunity from criminal prosecution while serving as head of state.
According to the law, a month after the official transfer of power to his successor, a former president can be prosecuted and tried like any other ordinary citizen. This is what happened to former President Jacques Chirac: Two months after leaving the Elysée in 2007, he had to face a judge to answer questions related to the case of creating fake job records to raise funds at the city hall.
According to Vietnamnet-M
