France’s Hollande denies influencing Sarkozy case

Jul 14, 2014 9:03 PM PHT

Agence France-Presse

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The French leader issues this statement after Nicolas Sarkozy denounced 'political interference' in his case

'NO INTERFERENCE.' French President Francois Hollande (C) stands with Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (2nd L) and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (2nd R) on January 9, 2014 in Paris. Photo by Alain Jocard/AFP

PARIS, France – French leader Francois Hollande on Monday, July 14, denied having influenced the justice system in a corruption scandal surrounding Nicolas Sarkozy after the former president claimed he was the victim of “political interference.”

“I not only did not do it (influence the justice system) but I couldn’t even have thought about it as it goes so against the conception of democracy and also the spirit of my responsibility,” he said in a television interview on France’s national day.

Sarkozy has been hit by a series of graft allegations. He was charged several weeks ago with corruption and influence peddling over an alleged attempt to interfere in judicial proceedings in another case.

He vehemently denies the charges and gave a television interview denouncing “political interference.” – Rappler.com