"Wiretapping" trial: "I have never been a corruptor", proclaims Nicolas Sarkozy's lawyer

Lawyer Thierry Herzog arrives to attend his trial at the Paris courthouse on November 30, 2020. REUTERS - BENOIT TESSIER

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At the Nicolas Sarkozy trial, the so-called “eavesdropping” trial, it was Thursday the turn of the former president's lawyer to come and explain himself to the Paris Criminal Court.

Me Thierry Herzog is accused of corruption and influence peddling.

Called to the bar, he proclaimed his innocence. 

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“

 I didn't do anything.

I did not commit

any offense

 ”, immediately launches Me Thierry Herzog.

“ 

I have never been a corrupter.

I have never corrupted, 

”insists the lawyer and friend of Nicolas Sarkozy, who says he is ready to answer all questions except those concerning

wiretapping

.

The problem is that the whole case is based on telephone conversations between the three defendants.

But for Me Herzog, the discussions he had with Nicolas Sarkozy on a secret line open in the name of

Paul Bismuth

fall under professional secrecy.

A sacred secret, essential if we want a citizen to have confidence in his lawyer and that he can defend him.

This is what the penalist Henri Leclerc, a senior lawyer among lawyers, and the president of Paris, Olivier Cousi, explained at the bar. 

Under these conditions, the hearing of Me Herzog did not bring much.

The lawyer admits having asked Nicolas Sarkozy to inquire about the post in Monaco coveted by Gilbert Azibert but the latter had not asked him anything.

And above all, it was neither a consideration nor a thank you. 

Monday, Me Herzog will still have to answer questions from the National Financial Prosecutor's Office.

Then it will be Nicolas Sarkozy's turn to be heard.

He promised to explain himself on all telephone conversations.

►

To read also: France: opening of the trial of Nicolas Sarkozy for the affair of the "tapping"

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  • France

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  • Corruption

  • Nicolas sarkozy

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