I will prove Sarkozy's innocence, says lawyer

The lawyer representing former President Nicolas Sarkozy, questioned by police this week over claims that his 2007 election victory was funded with millions from then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, said today that he will appeal the judicial review and “prove Nicolas Sarkozy’s innocence”.

Speaking to radio station RTL, Thierry Herzog denounced a "fabricated operation". "We will see who are the criminals, the thugs, the murderers and the thieves, those who are already convicted," he added.

The judicial control, a first for a former head of state under France’s Fifth Republic, forbids Nicolas Sarkozy, 63, from meeting nine people involved in the case and bans him from going to Libya, Egypt, Tunisia or South Africa.

After more than 24 hours in police custody, Mr Sarkozy, was indicted on Wednesday evening for "passive corruption", "illegal election campaign financing" and "concealment of embezzlement of Libyan public funds".

In a televised interview on TF1 on Wednesday, he vowed to defend his honour. "It might take me one, two, 10 years but I'll smash this group [of accusers] and will restore my honour," he said. “I'm not above the law, but I'm not below it either.”

His wife, the model and singer Carla Bruni Sarkozy, posted a message on Instagram: "I'm proud of you my love. You are righteous, clear and strong".