The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc around most of the world but has also been a windfall for online tech giants and retailers and now, allegedly corrupt politicians and their aides.

Nicolas Sarkozy survives another day as the first day of trial has been brief. It was suspended, with the next hearing on Thursday, as a co-accused Judge Gilbert Azibert’s lawyer has cited that his client could be affected by the coronavirus and so he must be medically examined.

In this case Sarkozy has been accused of corruption as well as misuse of influence. He allegedly tried to influence a magistrate, Gilbert Azibert, for information about a case regarding his political party finances. This case is calling the “wire tapping”case.

It is alleged that Sarkozy, under the alias Paul Bismuth, was heard telling Mr Herzog, his lawyer, “I’ll get him promoted. I’ll help him.”

Sarkozy, a hard-line, ex French President (2007-2012) is not new to controversy but is the first modern French president to face trial. This isn’t the first case against which he is standing trial. Nicknamed the “bling-bling” president for his lavish lifestyle, it was also alleged that he had accepted illicit payments for his 2007 presidential campaign from Lillian Bettencourt, L’Oreal heiress. It has also been alleged that this campaign was financed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddaffi.

Source BBC Sputnik News