In a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has been charged with witness tampering and associating with wrongdoers to commit fraud.
The charges, revealed on July 9, are connected to the controversial retraction of statements by Ziad Takieddine, who previously alleged that Sarkozy received funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign.
Bruni-Sarkozy is accused of acting as an intermediary between her husband and Michèle Marchand, a well-known figure in the celebrity press and alleged orchestrator of an operation aimed at securing the withdrawal of Takieddine’s allegations.
According to judicial sources, Bruni-Sarkozy has been placed under judicial control, which restricts her from contacting other accused individuals except for Sarkozy.
The investigation into the alleged Libyan financing of Sarkozy’s campaign has seen multiple twists since it began. In October 2020, Sarkozy was indicted for the fourth time as part of the probe, which has raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in France.
Marchand, who spearheaded what has been dubbed the “Save Sarkozy” operation, reportedly traveled to Lebanon to capture footage of Takieddine, who had been living there following a conviction in a separate case.
Takieddine, who initially claimed to have transferred Libyan funds to Sarkozy’s campaign, appeared in a Paris Match interview where he retracted his accusations.
The coverage, which aired on French television, failed to generate significant media attention at the time. Nevertheless, the motives behind his sudden change of heart have come under scrutiny, particularly concerning potential financial incentives.
The investigation has also uncovered attempts by Marchand to navigate legal avenues, including an effort to secure Takieddine’s retraction through notarized documentation, which ultimately did not yield results.
In a more clandestine move, Marchand reportedly sought to leverage the release of Hannibal Kadhafi, son of the late Libyan dictator, from Lebanese custody to obtain support from the Kadhafi family in clearing Sarkozy’s name.
Allegations have surfaced that Takieddine was promised several million euros for his retraction, although he claims to have received only a fraction of that amount before reversing his statements.
The legal proceedings have thus far concentrated on Marchand’s role and the various intermediaries involved in the alleged financial arrangements. Crucial questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding Sarkozy’s knowledge of the operation and his methods for monitoring its progress.
During questioning, Noël Dubus, a convicted fraudster linked to the case, claimed that Bruni-Sarkozy was directly involved in managing the operation alongside Marchand, a statement both women have publicly denied.
As the investigation continues, the implications for Sarkozy, Bruni-Sarkozy, and the broader French political landscape are profound. The case raises pressing concerns about corruption, the manipulation of witness testimony, and the potential influence of financial interests on political accountability in France.
The judicial proceedings are likely to draw ongoing attention as more details emerge, potentially shaping the public’s perception of Sarkozy’s legacy and the integrity of his past presidency.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
