Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under formal investigation in a corruption case that threatens the former French president’s potential political comeback.
After a day of questioning in police custody, unprecedented for a former president, Mr Sarkozy was placed under investigation early on Wednesday by an anti-corruption court on allegations of corruption and peddling influence in a case involving himself, his lawyer and a judge, according to news agencies including Reuters and AFP, which cited a communiqué sent from the court.
Mr Sarkozy, who denies the allegations, was then released. The status of formal investigation means the court believes there is evidence pointing to a crime, but does not always lead to charges. But the case is set to hang over Mr Sarkozy for months to come.