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SocGen trader Kerviel arrested in France

The convicted former trader was arrested when he crossed into France from Italy shortly before deadline set to begin three-year prison sentence.

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Convicted rogue trader Jérôme Kerviel has been arrested on returning to France, where he faces a prison term for forgery and breach of trust, reports BBC News.

Kerviel, 37, caused his bank, Société Générale, losses of 4.9bn euros (£4.1bn; $6.7bn) in 2008.

He was detained by police after crossing the border on foot from Italy, just ahead of a midnight deadline.

The French presidency has not responded to his request to grant immunity to witnesses who could testify for him.

"I've never been on the run, I've always fulfilled my responsibilities," he told reporters as he left the Italian border town of Ventimiglia on foot.

He was arrested in the French border town of Menton and is now due to start a three-year prison term.

Kerviel always maintained that Société Générale knew what he was doing but turned a blind eye.

Read more of this report from BBC News.