Nicolas Sarkozy, Former French President, Detained For Questioning In Corruption Probe

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was held on Tuesday July 01,2014 for questioning into suspicions that a network of informers kept him abreast of a separate inquiry into alleged irregularities in his 2007 election campaign

Nicolas Sarkozy denies wrongdoing in a string of investigations which could derail his hopes of a come-back after his 2012 presidential election defeat by Francois Hollande.

French policemen guard the entrance of the anti-corruption office of the French police (Oclciff) on July 1, 2014 in Nanterre, near Paris. Nicolas Sarkozy was on Tuesday detained for questioning at the Oclciff in Nanterre, in a widening corruption probe

It was the first time a former head of state had been held for questioning in modern French history

Released on bail

Dubbed President Bling-Bling on account of his penchant for expensive watches and designer sunglasses, Sarkozy was released on bail yesterday morning after becoming the first French leader in history to be held in police custody.

Once one of the most powerful men in the world, Sarkozy’s abject humiliation was sealed in the early hours of yesterday morning when, following 15 hours of questioning by detectives, he was hauled before an examining judge and had his rights read out.

Then, in a scene far removed from the pomp and luxury he enjoyed during five years in the Elysée Palace, he was unceremoniously charged with ‘active corruption’, ‘influence peddling’ and ‘violating the professional secrecy’ of an active judicial inquiry.

Dishevelled and described by one witness as ‘looking like a broken man’, the 59-year-old was freed on bail just before 2am.

He was then driven to the home he shares with Carla Bruni, 46, the former supermodel who is his third wife.