Nicolas Sarkozy ‘arrested’: Former French president in custody in police probe

The probe relates to alleged Libyan funding for Mr Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported.

He was summoned to a police station in Nanterre where he is being questioned over the allegations. 

This is the first time Mr Sarkozy has been spoken to by authorities in connection with the inquiry, which opened in 2013. 

Mr Sarkozy was however placed under formal examination in February 2016 over alleged illegal campaign funding in 2012. 

He can be held for up to 48 hours and presented to Magistrates Court for indictment immediately if police seek charges. He is alleged to have accepted €59million from Moammer Gaddafi’s regime, claims which have been reported by French businessman Ziad Takieddine and the Libyan dictator’s son.

But Mr Sarkozy has repeatedly denied he has accepted funds from Libya.

A lawyer for Mr Sarkozy could not be reached immediately for comment.

He was president of France between 2007 and 2012. 

Mr Sarkozy tried to make a policitcal comeback in the 2017 election, but failed to convince voters and members of his own party. 

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