Jacques Chirac to Stand Trial on Embezzlement Charges
Local Editor, 31-10-2009
Jacques Chirac- which according to a poll earlier this year is rated as France's most popular politician- will stand trial for embezzlement charges.
Neither his soaring popularity among the French, the post he filled for 12 consecutive years as France's president from 1995 until 2007, his country's reputation that will be stained due to such a trial, nor his old age- almost entering his eighth decade- gave him immunity from being prosecuted.
All the mentioned did not prevent Magistrate Xaviere Simeoni from ordering former President Jacques Chirac to stand trial on embezzlement charges dating back to the 1990s, when he was mayor of Paris.
The order is unprecedented, and follows several other trials targeting former high-level politicians.
Chirac is charged with embezzlement and breach of trust relating to allegations that 35 people were given fake jobs at Paris city hall between 1994 and 1995 and therefore misusing millions of dollars in public funds, when he was mayor. A veteran politician, 76-year-old Chirac served as both Paris mayor and prime minister of France, before becoming president in 1995.
Former President did not respond directly to news he has been ordered to stand trial, but a statement from his office said he was serene and determined to clear himself.
Simeoni ruled Friday that there was enough evidence to try Chirac on charges of diverting public funds and abuse of trust -- even though the state prosecutor recommended the charges be dropped.
But international relations professor Steven Ekovich, of the American University of Paris, has his doubts whether Chirac will ever face trial.
"It's a little surprising, but I doubt it's going to go very far, mostly because of his age," said Steven Ekovich. "Maybe mostly because of his age. And I can't imagine that President Nicolas Sarkozy will let it go very far. I think this is just part of the justice system following procedures."
Jacques Chirac- which according to a poll earlier this year is rated as France's most popular politician- will stand trial for embezzlement charges.
Neither his soaring popularity among the French, the post he filled for 12 consecutive years as France's president from 1995 until 2007, his country's reputation that will be stained due to such a trial, nor his old age- almost entering his eighth decade- gave him immunity from being prosecuted.
All the mentioned did not prevent Magistrate Xaviere Simeoni from ordering former President Jacques Chirac to stand trial on embezzlement charges dating back to the 1990s, when he was mayor of Paris.
The order is unprecedented, and follows several other trials targeting former high-level politicians.
Chirac is charged with embezzlement and breach of trust relating to allegations that 35 people were given fake jobs at Paris city hall between 1994 and 1995 and therefore misusing millions of dollars in public funds, when he was mayor. A veteran politician, 76-year-old Chirac served as both Paris mayor and prime minister of France, before becoming president in 1995.
Former President did not respond directly to news he has been ordered to stand trial, but a statement from his office said he was serene and determined to clear himself.
Simeoni ruled Friday that there was enough evidence to try Chirac on charges of diverting public funds and abuse of trust -- even though the state prosecutor recommended the charges be dropped.
But international relations professor Steven Ekovich, of the American University of Paris, has his doubts whether Chirac will ever face trial.
"It's a little surprising, but I doubt it's going to go very far, mostly because of his age," said Steven Ekovich. "Maybe mostly because of his age. And I can't imagine that President Nicolas Sarkozy will let it go very far. I think this is just part of the justice system following procedures."
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