The decision by judges to place the former president under formal investigation – one step short of charges being brought – relates to claims that his 2007 presidential campaign was financed in part by the Libyan regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. In 2018 Sarkozy was placed under formal investigation in relation to the same inquiry for “illicit funding of an electoral campaign”, “receiving and embezzling public funds” and “passive corruption”. This new move by investigating judges means that for the first time a former head of state in France formally faces claims of “criminal conspiracy”. The ex-president denies any wrongdoing. FabriceArfi and KarlLaske report on the latest developments in the long-running investigation.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was formally placed under investigation for “criminal conspiracy” on Monday October 12th in relation to the long-running investigation into claims that his 2007 presidential election campaign was partly funded by the Libyan regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
