Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy complained Monday of being the victim of six years of "slander", in his first remarks to the court at his landmark corruption trial, reports FRANCE 24.
Sarkozy became France's first modern head of state to appear in the dock last week, going on trial on charges of corruption and influence peddling.
The 65-year-old right-winger, who also faces trials in two other investigations, is accused of offering judge Gilbert Azibert a plum retirement job in exchange for inside information on an inquiry into his campaign finances.
"I don't accept any of the slander that has been levelled at me over the past six years," France's leader from 2007 to 2012 told the criminal court in Paris.
He risks a sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of one million euros ($1.2 million) if convicted.
Azibert and Sarkozy's lawyer Thierry Herzog are also on trial.
Sarkozy has been battling a barrage of investigations since losing his immunity from prosecution after his failed 2012 re-election campaign.