The former head of state Nicolas Sarkozy, summoned to come and testify Tuesday at the trial in Paris of his former relatives in the case of the Elysee polls, confirmed his presence in court, we learned. Friday from sources familiar with the matter.
Nicolas Sarkozy informed the court of his coming Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and that it was useless to call on the police, according to these sources.
In a judicial coup de theater, the president of the 32nd correctional chamber of the Paris court ordered on October 19 the appearance as a witness of the former President of the Republic, if necessary "by the police".
Called as witness by Anticor
Protected since the beginning of this affair by his immunity, Nicolas Sarkozy has never been prosecuted or heard concerning the suspicions of favoritism and embezzlement of public funds on which his former collaborators have been explained for two weeks, in particular Claude Guéant, former secretary General of the Elis.
Cited as a witness by the Anticor association, civil party, he had first 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.
If Nicolas Sarkozy cannot be prosecuted, the Constitution does not prohibit his hearing as a witness, said the court, judging that hearing him was "necessary for the manifestation of the truth".