Former French President Sarkozy Had His Phone Tapped By Investigators

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls (L) and Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) attend the French Ligue 1 soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, March 2, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Philippe Wojazer

Sarkozy's Phone Tapped By Investigators: Le Monde -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Nicolas Sarkozy's phone was tapped during a judicial probe into financing for his 2007 election campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported, potentially presenting a new hurdle for the former French president who is widely expected to run for office again.

The newspaper said the phone tapping episode had given rise to suspicions Sarkozy had been secretly advised by a high court judge in exchange for help getting the judge a role in Monaco.

The alleged phone tapping was denounced by Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, as "monstrous". Herzog also said there had been "no influence peddling" in the context of contacts with the judge, named by Le Monde as Gilbert Azibert.

An attempt by Reuters to reach Azibert via a phone call to his office was unsuccessful on Friday.

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More News On Reports That French Judges Ordered The Bugging Of Then French President Sarkozy's Phone

French judges bugged Sarkozy's phone, report -- RFI
French judges tapped Nicolas Sarkozy’s phones -- France 24
France's Nicolas Sarkozy 'had phone tapped by judges' -- BBC
Nicolas Sarkozy 'has had his phone tapped for the last year on the orders of judges investigating alleged Libyan campaign payments' -- Daily Mail
'Sarkozy phone was bugged' after rumours Gaddafi funded campaign -- The Guardian
2nd set of recordings targets France’s Sarkozy -- AP
Sarkozy’s phone ‘tapped’ over Libya cash claims -- RT
Sarkozy phone tapped by judges in inquiry into suspected Gadafy link -- Irish Times
Sarkozy Return Clouded by Phone-Tap Probe, Funding Reports -- Bloomberg

My Comment: I am not an expert on the French legal system .... but if you are a judge and you are signing an order to have the phone of the President of France tapped .... you better make sure that you have the evidence and reasons locked down solid on why you are pursuing such an action. If not .... and if this was just a "fishing trip" looking for a case .... be prepared for the consequences.