Ex-French PM cleared over Sarkozy smear

Dominique de Villepin cleared over Sarkozy smear

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Thursday, 28, Jan 2010 05:30

By Richard James.

France's former prime minister Dominique de Villepin has been cleared of plotting a smear campaign against president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mr de Villepin had been on trial accused of conspiring to slander the president during their campaigns to succeed Jacques Chirac in 2007.

It was alleged he had used fake documents to link Mr Sarkozy to the Clearstream corruption probe.

The judge in the case though said there was no proof the former prime minister had acted in bad faith.

The case dates back to 2004 and a list of politicians and businessmen who allegedly received bribes from international arms sales.

The list, which included Mr Sarkozy, was later proved to be fake though, with prosecutors claiming Mr de Villepin had been behind the allegations.

The former PM continually denied the allegations, however, and was today cleared of the charges.

Another of his co-defendants was also cleared, but three others were found guilty of conspiracy in the case.