Sarkozy blasts 'lack of evidence' for corruption charges

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

The morning after he was charged in one of France's most explosive political scandals in years, the 63-year-old 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 proved, as he claims, that the accusations are a "manipulation by the dictator Gadhafi or his gang".

Investigators are examining allegations that Gadhafi's regime secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros ($61.6 million) overall for his presidential election bid.

The sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time - 21 million euros. In addition, the alleged payments would violate French rules against foreign financing and requiring that the source of campaign funds be declared.

"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 Gadhafi, his son, his nephew, his cousin, his spokesman, his former prime minister."

'Enough evidence'

Judges decided they had enough evidence to charge the combative one-term president on 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.

"This calumny has made my life a living hell since March 11, 2011," the Le Figaro newspaper quoted Sarkozy as having told the investigators.

And he lashed out at Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, who claims to have delivered three cash-stuffed suitcases from Gadhafi in 2006 and 2007, when Sarkozy was preparing his first run for president.

Takieddine, who claimed he provided 1.5 to 2 million euros in 200-euro and 500-euro notes, has "highly suspect characteristics and the questionable past", Sarkozy said.

According to Le Figaro, Sarkozy said he was the victim of a destabilization campaign that began in March 2011, based on accusations from Tripoli and Takieddine, who is also at the center of a judicial inquiry that began in 2013 but snowballed this week when Sarkozy was held for questioning.

Afp - Reuters - Ap

(China Daily 03/23/2018 page11)