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| French ex-PM faces formal inquiry | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| French former PM Dominique de Villepin has been placed under formal investigation over allegations he tried to smear President Nicolas Sarkozy. | |
| Formal investigation is a first step to criminal charges. He denies wrongdoing. | |
| One of Mr de Villepin's lawyers made the announcement after the former PM had gone to meet two magistrates. | |
| He is accused of encouraging the leaking of Mr Sarkozy's name after it was included in 2004 on a false list of people who took bribes for arms sales. | He is accused of encouraging the leaking of Mr Sarkozy's name after it was included in 2004 on a false list of people who took bribes for arms sales. |
| Earlier this month, two investigating magistrates searched Mr de Villepin's private apartment and offices. | Earlier this month, two investigating magistrates searched Mr de Villepin's private apartment and offices. |
| 'False accusations' | 'False accusations' |
| This is not the first time Mr de Villepin has had to answer questions from judges over the so-called "Clearstream affair". | This is not the first time Mr de Villepin has had to answer questions from judges over the so-called "Clearstream affair". |
| He was interviewed on the same subject for 14 hours in December, while his house and offices were searched by investigators three weeks ago. | He was interviewed on the same subject for 14 hours in December, while his house and offices were searched by investigators three weeks ago. |
| Jacques Chirac's lawyer says he will not work with investigators | Jacques Chirac's lawyer says he will not work with investigators |
| Judges are looking for evidence that he directed a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy, who was then serving as interior minister, to try to spoil his chances of becoming president. | Judges are looking for evidence that he directed a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy, who was then serving as interior minister, to try to spoil his chances of becoming president. |
| Mr Sarkozy was wrongly accused of having secret bank accounts in the Luxembourg clearing house, Clearstream, for bribes collected from the sale of French frigates to Taiwan in 1991. | Mr Sarkozy was wrongly accused of having secret bank accounts in the Luxembourg clearing house, Clearstream, for bribes collected from the sale of French frigates to Taiwan in 1991. |
| Judicial sources say Mr de Villepin could be formally investigated for breach of trust, forgery and making false accusations, but the former prime minister denies any involvement in the affair. | Judicial sources say Mr de Villepin could be formally investigated for breach of trust, forgery and making false accusations, but the former prime minister denies any involvement in the affair. |
| Investigators have also indicated they would like to interview the former French President, Jacques Chirac, about the case. | Investigators have also indicated they would like to interview the former French President, Jacques Chirac, about the case. |
| But Mr Chirac has denied all knowledge of the incident, and claims he has permanent immunity for all his actions while in office. | But Mr Chirac has denied all knowledge of the incident, and claims he has permanent immunity for all his actions while in office. |