For the first time, a former President of the Republic will testify as a witness in a case in which he is cited.
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Will he speak or oppose silence to questions from the court? Nicolas Sarkozy is expected Tuesday, November 2 to testify at the trial of his former relatives in the Elysee polls affair, a case in which he is covered by his presidential immunity.
Protected by this immunity conferred on him by the Constitution, Nicolas Sarkozy has never been prosecuted or heard about suspicions of favoritism and embezzlement of public funds on which his former collaborators have been explained since October 18. But, twist, the president of the 32nd correctional chamber of the Paris court on October 19 ordered his appearance as a witness, if necessary. “by the police”, estimating his hearing “necessary for the manifestation of the truth”.
Cited as a witness by the Anticor association, civil party, Nicolas Sarkozy had let it be known, in a letter to the court, that he did not intend to come, as he had already done during the investigation. Until now, justice has never forced a former head of state to testify on facts in connection with acts accomplished in the exercise of his functions.
Following the court’s decision, he informed him that he would be present at the hearing on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and that it was useless to appeal to the police, his lawyer Thierry Herzog confirmed to AFP. .“I do not respond to provocations (…) You have to be calm, not to be passionate, not to upset things. There is a Constitution, there are laws and you have to respect them, c is the only thing I ask “, he claimed on October 20 on the sidelines of a signing session in Lyon. If he decides to speak, his statements could have a significant impact on the determination of responsibility in this matter.