Advertisement

Sarkozy charged with corruption over alleged Gaddafi financing

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Sarkozy charged with corruption over alleged Gaddafi financing
Nicolas Sarkozy shakes hands with Libyan leader Colonel Gaddaf (L) upon his arrival for an offcial visit to Libyain Tripoli in 2007 Photo: AFP

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was charged Wednesday with corruption for allegedly accepting millions of euros from late Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi towards his 2007 election campaign, a judicial source told AFP.

Advertisement

The 63-year-old politician was charged with corruption, illegal campaign financing and concealment of Libyan public money after two days of questioning, the source added.
   
The charges are the most serious yet against the right-winger, who failed in his comeback bid last year.
   
He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
 
He was released from custody and returned home Wednesday after being questioned by anti-corruption investigators over claims he accepted millions from Gaddafi in cash-stuffed suitcases.
 
READ ALSO:

Ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy hauled in by police for grilling... once again

   
For the charges to be brought in France, the investigating magistrate must have "serious and corroborating evidence" that the crime took place.
   
Sarkozy is charged with "passive corruption" which is defined as "corruption initiated by the corrupted party".
   
He has argued that the fact he pushed for NATO to intervene militarily against Gaddafi's regime in 2011 -- an intervention that culminated with Gaddafi's ouster and killing -- shows he was not in the Libyan strongman's pocket.
 
Sarkozy has denounced the lack of "physical evidence" against him.
 
"I stand accused without any physical evidence because of declarations made by Mr Gaddafi, his son, his nephew, his cousin, his spokesman, his former prime minister," Sarkozy told judges in remarks published by the Figaro website, a day after he was charged.
   
"I've been living the hell of this slander since March 11, 2011" when Gaddafi first made the allegations, he added.
 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also