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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Samuel Osborne

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy 'will face trial over 2012 campaign fraud claims'

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will reportedly face trial for exceeding election expenses during his failed 2012 campaign.

A judicial source told Reuters that 13 others would also face trial over the so-called "Bygmalion Affair", which has involved charges of spending overruns and funding irregularities.

Mr Sarkozy was previously placed under investigation in a probe into his campaign funding.

His 2012 re-election campaign costs were more than twice the legal limit. 

Mr Sarkozy has repeatedly denied knowledge of the overspending because he was not involved in the details of his campaign finance. 

It is alleged he exceeded the spending limit of 22.5m euros (£19m) through false invoices issued by the Bygmalion PR company.

The decision to put Mr Sarkozy on trial comes as French politicians face growing scrutiny over their personal finances in the build-up to this year's presidential election in April and May.

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