France’s former president arrested

In an unprecedented move in France’s modern history, the country’s former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been taken into police custody over alleged influence-peddling.

The 59-year-old politician may have attempted to manipulate the course of justice when, with the help of his attorney, Thierry Herzog, he tried to obtain classified information regarding some legal cases against a former leader.

Along with Sarkozy and Herzog, judges Gilbert Azibert and Patrick Sassoust had also been detained for questioning. It is presumed that the former president has promised Azibert a prestigious position in Monaco, in exchange for information.

Police is also trying to establish whether Sarkozy abused his presidential position to find out is Libya’s former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, funded his successful 2007 election campaign.