Sarkozy detained for questioning over graft case

Nicolas Sarkozy was detained for questioning on the 1 July 2014 in a widening corruption probe, in an unprecedented move against a former French president.

Investigators were said to suspect Sarkozy sought to obtain inside information from one of the magistrates about the progress of another probe. He was also tipped off that his mobile phone had been tapped by judges looking into the alleged financing of his 2007 election campaign by former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

In an interview with French media on the 3 July 2014 the former president said the country’s legal system was being exploited for 'political ends'. He suggested that that the latest legal developments were part of a political conspiracy against him.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Police search Sarkozy home and offices http://www.europeansources.info/record/police-search-sarkozy-home-and-offices/

ESO: Background information: French campaign takes nasty turn http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-campaign-takes-nasty-turn/

France24, 01.07.14: Former French president Sarkozy detained for questioning http://www.france24.com/en/20140701-france-sarkozy-detained-questioning-influence-corruption/

The Local.fr, 01.07.14: Sarkozy grilled by police in corruption probe http://www.thelocal.fr/20140701/sarkozy-grilled-by-police-in-corruption-probe

BBC News, 02.07.14: France's ex-President Sarkozy put under investigation http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28122473

France24, 01.07.14: Sarkozy’s lawyer placed under formal investigation in graft probe http://www.france24.com/en/20140701-sarkozy-lawyer-formal-investigation-corruption-probe/

EUObserver, 02.07.14: Sarkozy risks jail in corruption probe http://euobserver.com/political/124844

Euro|Topics, 02.07.14: Sarkozy in custody http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER146104-Sarkozy-in-custody

Blog: Open Europe, 01.07.14: Sarkozy held in custody: A blow to his mooted comeback and a gift to Le Pen? http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/sarkozy-held-in-custody-blow-to-his.html

The New York Times, 02.07.14: Sarkozy Placed Under Formal Investigation in Corruption Case http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/03/world/europe/sarkozy.html

Euronews, 02.07.14: Ex-French President Sarkozy under formal investigation http://www.euronews.com/2014/07/02/ex-french-president-sarkozy-under-formal-investigation

The Guardian, 02.07.14: Nicolas Sarkozy under official investigation after questioning http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/02/nicolas-sarkozy-faces-criminal-charge-after-being-placed-under-investigation

BBC News, 02.07.14: Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy: Case against me 'political' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28137825

France24, 02.07.14: Beset by legal woes, Sarkozy blasts ‘political ends’ http://www.france24.com/en/20140702-france-sarkozy-interview-legal-political/

The Guardian, 02.07.14: Nicolas Sarkozy: allegations against me are grotesque, and the judges are biased http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/02/nicolas-sarkozy-allegations-grotesque-judges-biased-formal-investigation-corruption

Deutsche Welle, 02.07.14: Sarkozy denies wrongdoing, says case against him 'political' http://dw.de/p/1CUj7

Euro|Topics: Who's saying what: Curtains for Sarkozy in politics? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/links_2014_07_sarkozy/

BBC News, 03.07.14: Is France ready for Sarkozy's return to the political frontline? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28147912

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