French ex-President Sarkozy 'held' over influence claims

The decision to detain him at Nanterre, near Paris, is an unprecedented step against a former president, BBC News reports. Mr Sarkozy's lawyer was questioned on Monday on suspicion of seeking inside information about a case against the former leader. The latest developments are seen as a blow to Mr Sarkozy's attempts to challenge for the presidency in 2017. Investigators are trying to find out whether Mr Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, had promised a prestigious role in Monaco to a high-ranking judge in exchange for information. Gilbert Azibert, one of the most senior judges at the court of appeal, was also called in for questioning on Monday. The decision to detain Mr Sarkozy is thought to be the first time a former head of state has been held in police custody. His predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was however given a suspended prison sentence in 2011 for embezzlement and breach of trust while he was mayor of Paris.