'I told them to beware the middlemen': ex-intelligence agent gives evidence in Sarkozy-Libya funding trial
Nicolas Sarkozy and three former ministers are standing trial in Paris over claims that the former president's successful 2007 election campaign was part-funded by the Libyan regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. And that the North African country – whose leader was one of the most notorious dictators on the planet – received favours in exchange. There are 13 defendants in all. Wednesday's court hearing featured evidence from the former director of intelligence at France's overseas intelligence agency, the DGSE. Alain Juillet said that he had warned the former president's key allies and fellow defendants Brice Hortefeux and Claude Guéant of the risks they were taking by having contact with intermediaries – and also co-defendants - Ziad Takieddine and Alexandre Djouhri. Karl Laske reports
“Ziad“Ziad Takieddine was seeing Brice Hortefeux,” explained Alain Juillet. “I told Mr Hortefeux to be wary. I know that Mr Hortefeux once went on Takieddine’s boat.”
