Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared in court on Monday, November 23, on charges of corruption in an attempt to bribe and obtain sensitive information from a judge. Sarkozy has been the subject of several further investigations, which have not yet been brought to court.
Although the first hearing was short, it was adjourned after 30 minutes and postponed to Thursday. This was requested by one of Sarkozy’s accused, expressing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, and his health will be checked.
Sarkozy has been accused of trying to obtain secret information from Judge Gilbert Aziber of the Court of Cassation about an investigation into another Sarkozy case in 2014, after the end of his presidency. In return, the official was promised a lucrative position in Monaco. They both have to stand trial.
Sarkozy has become the first French president to be tried for corruption and influence trading.
The National Finance Prosecutor’s Office claims that Sarkozy acted as a “hardened criminal”, but that his lawyer paralyzed the investigation by filing numerous appeals.
Sarkozy, who faces up to ten years in prison, says he has done nothing illegal. The president believes that this case was fabricated by his political opponents.
Sarkozy is also being investigated on suspicion of receiving € 50 million from former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to fund his 2007 presidential election campaign.
Mr Sarkozy was President of France from 2007 to 2012.
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