{"id":17867,"date":"2020-11-23T00:54:27","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T05:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=17867"},"modified":"2020-11-23T00:54:27","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T05:54:27","slug":"trial-of-ex-president-sarkozy-a-landmark-for-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2020\/11\/23\/trial-of-ex-president-sarkozy-a-landmark-for-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Trial of ex-president Sarkozy a landmark for France"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p><b class=\"css-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">He was nicknamed the &#8220;bling-bling&#8221; president for what many in France saw as his lavish tastes &#8211; but now Nicolas Sarkozy faces the stark reality of a soulless courtroom.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He is going on trial accused of corruption and influence-peddling, for allegedly trying to bribe a magistrate in return for information about an investigation into his party finances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He will be the first ex-president in modern France to appear in the dock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He led France from 2007 to 2012.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>There is some procedural uncertainty about this trial, however. Court hearings have been disrupted by the coronavirus crisis and a key figure in the case, former senior judge Gilbert Azibert, is 74 and will not appear in court.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The France Info news website says proceedings will be adjourned on Monday because Mr Azibert has to undergo a medical check. The trial is set to run until 10 December.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"css-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-11576712\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">France&#8217;s Nicolas Sarkozy: &#8216;Bling&#8217; and legal woes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/D23A\/production\/_115581835_12c54e08-6edb-4fec-94fd-04acccae007b.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/D23A\/production\/_115581835_12c54e08-6edb-4fec-94fd-04acccae007b.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/D23A\/production\/_115581835_12c54e08-6edb-4fec-94fd-04acccae007b.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/D23A\/production\/_115581835_12c54e08-6edb-4fec-94fd-04acccae007b.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/D23A\/production\/_115581835_12c54e08-6edb-4fec-94fd-04acccae007b.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/D23A\/production\/_115581835_12c54e08-6edb-4fec-94fd-04acccae007b.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy, 22 Dec 09\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">Singer Carla Bruni married then-president Sarkozy in 2008 &#8211; and wowed French society (Image: AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Another former right-wing president,\u00a0<a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-16194089\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacques Chirac, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence<\/a>\u00a0in 2011 for diverting public funds and abusing public trust. The offences dated back to his time as mayor of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>But he did not appear in court, owing to ill health. He denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-mysbf6-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1jlqpzd-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">What&#8217;s this case all about?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>French magistrates have spent years investigating allegations of corruption dating back to Mr Sarkozy&#8217;s election campaigns and period in office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>This case is linked to a long-running investigation into the right-wing politician&#8217;s suspected use of secret donations to fund his 2007 presidential campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The prosecution alleges that Mr Sarkozy and his then lawyer Thierry Herzog sought to bribe Gilbert Azibert with a prestigious job in Monaco in return for information about that investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>It is known as the &#8220;wiretapping case&#8221; in France, because phone calls between Mr Sarkozy and Mr Herzog were tapped in 2013-2014, in which Mr Sarkozy used the alias &#8220;Paul Bismuth&#8221; and they discussed Judge Azibert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>French media report that Mr Sarkozy was heard telling Mr Herzog &#8220;I&#8217;ll get him promoted, I&#8217;ll help him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing &#8211; and he points out that Judge Azibert did not get the Monaco position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;Gilbert Azibert got nothing, I made no approach [on his behalf] and I&#8217;ve been rejected by the Court of Cassation,&#8221; Mr Sarkozy said in 2014, referring to his battle to clear his name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In October 2013 magistrates dropped him from their investigation into\u00a0<a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-24428541\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">claims that he had accepted illicit payments from L&#8217;Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt<\/a>\u00a0for his 2007 presidential campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"css-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-48694683\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sarkozy loses final bid to avoid bribery trial<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-43497357\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">I&#8217;m living in hell, says France&#8217;s Sarkozy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"css-mysbf6-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1jlqpzd-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">What are Mr Sarkozy&#8217;s other trials and tribulations?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Prosecutors suspect that Mr Sarkozy and several associates received millions of euros of Libyan cash to fund his 2007 presidential campaign. At that time the late Libyan dictator Col Muammar Gaddafi was in power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In 2018 Mr Sarkozy was charged with corruption, illegal campaign financing and benefiting from embezzled public funds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Last month, magistrates also charged him with &#8220;membership in a criminal conspiracy&#8221;. The charges could lead to a trial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Sarkozy has rejected all the charges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In January this year magistrates also placed a former Sarkozy aide, Thierry Gaubert, under formal investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;My innocence is once again trampled on by a decision that presents no evidence at all of any illicit financing,&#8221; Mr Sarkozy wrote on Facebook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In a separate case, he is due to go on trial from 17 March to 15 April 2021 over the so-called Bygmalion affair, in which he is accused of having fraudulently overspent in his 2012 presidential campaign. His 2012 re-election bid was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-55015479\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">He was nicknamed the &#8220;bling-bling&#8221; president for what many in France saw as his lavish tastes &#8211; but now Nicolas Sarkozy faces the stark reality of a soulless courtroom. He is going on trial accused <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2020\/11\/23\/trial-of-ex-president-sarkozy-a-landmark-for-france\/\" title=\"Trial of ex-president Sarkozy a landmark for France\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11023,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109,2,6],"tags":[800,948,2913,5006],"class_list":{"0":"post-17867","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headline","8":"category-news","9":"category-world","10":"tag-bribery","11":"tag-corruption","12":"tag-france","13":"tag-nicolas-sarkozy","14":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17867"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17868,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17867\/revisions\/17868"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}