investigation

UN court rules cannot halt Paris corruption case against African VP

International — Link

The International Court of Justice ruled it had no legal powers to stop a French probe into suspected moneylaundering by Equatorial Guinea's vice-president Teodorin Obiang, who claims his vast assets, including property and luxury cars in France, come from wealth gained legitimately.

EU probes tax deals granted by Luxembourg to French utility Engie

International — Link

The European Commission said the utility giant, formerly called GDF Suez, may have received significant tax breaks that gave it and unfair advantage over other companies and in breach of EU state aid rules.

Net closes in on Sarkozy law firm partner in tax fraud and money laundering probe

France — Investigation

A French judicial investigation has described the “active role” played by Arnaud Claude, the partner of Nicolas Sarkozy in a Paris legal firm, Claude & Sarkozy, in helping an MP and longstanding political ally of the former French president, Patrick Balkany, to conceal from the French tax authorities his ownership of a luxurious Moroccan villa estimated to be worth more than 5 million euros. As the investigation draws to a close, the magistrates in charge have ordered the confiscation of a Normandy property belonging to the lawyer, Mediapart has learned. Fabrice Arfi and Mathilde Mathieu report.

Prosecutor details latest evidence in Nice attack probe

France — Link

Paris public prosecutor says Bastille Day killer appeared recently drawn to jihadists but no proof of any 'allegiance or any direct link' to terrorist organisations.

More arrests as Bastille Day killer's true motive remains uncertain

International

Three new arrests were made on Sunday as French investigators attempt to establish whether Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, the 31-year-old Tunisian who drove a heavy truck into Bastille Day crowds in Nice on Thursday, killing 84 people, received help from accomplices in preparing the massacre. Fresh evidence emerged this weekend suggesting he had carefully planned the attack, including CCTV footage of him reconnoitring the scene earlier last week. But despite a claim by the Islamic State group that Bouhlel was a "soldier" for the jihadist group, his motive remained unclear. Meanwhile, French health minister Marisol Touraine said on Sunday that “about 85 people” were still hospitalised after the carnage on July 14th, of which 18, including a child, were in a life-threatening condition. Graham Tearse reports.

French investigators helping probe into mystery of flight MS804

France — Link

France is participating in Egypt-led investigation as it is the country where the Airbus 320 was made and 15 people on board were French.

French prosecutors investigate Tokyo Olympics payment

International — Link

The probe centres on a 2-million dollar sum allegedly paid to son of former world athletics chief at time of the awarding the 2020 games.

French prosecutor opens probe after woman's suicide live on Periscope

France — Link

The young woman was watched by users of the live video-streaming app when she jumped into the path of a Paris suburban commuter train.

Paris prosecutor opens probe into Green MP sex scandal case

France — Link

The move follows accusations relayed by Mediapart and France Inter that Denis Baupin, forced to quit as deputy speaker, assaulted and harassed women politicians.

Paris prosecutor opens probe into Sarkozy aide spying allegations

France — Link

The probe follows media report that Claude Guéant used France's intelligenc services to spy on a conservative rival in 2012 general elections.

Sarkozy back before judges over 2012 election campaign finances

France — Link

The former French president was quizzed over alleged fraudulent system of false invoices to hide gross overspending on his failed re-election bid.

Former Qatari ruler's firm targeted by French 'money laundering' investigation

International — Investigation

The Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into a suspected money laundering operation involving Qatari Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s French investment arm, French Properties Management (FPM), Mediapart can reveal. The probe, prompted by information from a whistleblowing former employee of FPM, is the latest to target the activities of the Paris-based firm, which is also cited in two other separate judicial investigations in France for “misuse of company assets” and “corruption and influence peddling”. Yann Philippin reports.

Teacher facing manslaughter probe over French Alps school trip deaths

France — Link

The teacher led his pupils onto a closed black piste where two of the teenagers and a nearby tourist died after becoming engulfed in an avalanche.

French footballer Karim Benzema under investigation in sex tape blackmail case

France — Link

The Real Madrid and striker is suspected of helping to blackmail France team mate Mathieu Valbuena over a compromising sex video.

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini suspended from Fifa

International — Link

Ethics committee of world football organisation Fifa suspended its president and vice president as a result of its ongonig corruption investigation.