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Al-Ahed Telegram

Sarkozy Blasts ’Lack of Evidence’ for Corruption Charges

Sarkozy Blasts ’Lack of Evidence’ for Corruption Charges
folder_openFrance access_time6 years ago
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Local Editor

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy blasted what he claimed was a lack of evidence for the corruption charges filed against him over allegations that late Libyan dictator Muammar Ghaddafi funded his 2007 election campaign, in his court statement published Thursday.

Sarkozy Blasts ’Lack of Evidence’ for Corruption Charges

The morning after he was charged in one of France's most explosive political scandals in years, the 63-year-old right-winger said he had been in "living hell" since the allegations first emerged in 2011. 

Demanding he be treated as a witness rather than a suspect, he urged magistrates to consider "the violence of the injustice" if it was proven, as he claims, that the accusations are a "manipulation by the dictator Ghaddafi or his gang".

"In the 24 hours of my detention I have tried with all my might to show that the serious corroborating evidence required to charge someone did not exist," Sarkozy said in his statement."

I stand accused without any tangible evidence through comments made by Mr. Ghaddafi, his son, his nephew, his cousin, his spokesman, his former prime minister," he added.

Judges decided they had enough evidence to charge the combative one-term president Wednesday after five years of investigation and two days of questioning in police custody.

Sarkozy, who served from 2007-2012, was charged with corruption, illegal campaign financing and concealment of Libyan public money.

"I've been living the hell of this slander since March 11, 2011" when Ghaddafi first made the allegations, Sarkozy said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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