Chirac allies on trial in Paris

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A former district mayor in Paris has gone on trial charged with vote-rigging at a time when President Jacques Chirac was mayor of the capital.

Prosecutors say the scam was orchestrated by Mr Chirac's allies in the city's third district in 1989.

Former district mayor Jacques Dominati is accused of planting more than 300 non-residents onto the voters' roll and buying their votes with favours.

Mr Dominati won by only 20 votes. The 14 co-defendants include his two sons.

A great-nephew of the late French leader, Charles de Gaulle, is also among the defendants.

The opposition criticised President Chirac at the weekend for trying to get his former legal adviser, Laurent le Mesle, appointed as chief prosecutor in Paris.

They said the president's aim was to protect himself from prosecution once his immunity runs out at the end of his term next May.

Mr Chirac has been accused of running a network of cronies during his time as Paris mayor and magistrates have launched several high-profile corruption investigations into some of his political allies.

In July a court handed out suspended prison sentences of up to two years and fines of up to 60,000 euros (£42,000) to 38 people found guilty of a housing scam at Paris City Hall when Mr Chirac was mayor.

Mr Chirac - who was elected president in 1995 - has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of any corruption racket.