FX.co ★ Former French president under official investigation

European justice system proved once again the fact that all are equal before the law. Thus, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was put under official investigation for corruption and misuse of influence. After being questioned at the police headquarters, Sarkozy now risks to say goodbye to his political comeback and maybe even freedom.
This was the first time an official of such a high status was detained for questioning. It is interesting that his predecessor Jacques Chirac had been never arrested despite being handed a two-year suspended prison sentence for corruption in 2011.
Now it is Sarkozy who is put under investigation on suspicion of influence-peddling.
Taking into account the features of the French justice system, an investigating judge can decide to put a suspect under formal investigation, and only if he or she finds serious suggestions of law-breaking.
In case the former president is found guilty, his accomplices - lawyer Thierry Herzog and Judge Gilbert Azibert - might be punished as they had information about the course of investigation and could have impermissible contacts with the president and his entourage.
Under newly discovered circumstances, Sarkozy’s participation in the presidential elections of 2017 is doubtful. Public attention and seriousness of the charges have caused irreparable damage to his political reputation.