Paris (AFP)

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy denounces "a deep injustice" after his conviction to prison and does not rule out going before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) so that "the law and justice triumph ", in an interview with Figaro posted online Tuesday.

"I felt the deep, shocking injustice of the procedures launched against me for ten years", he affirms daily, assuring to have "preserved (his) determination so that the law and justice triumph, like that should occur in the rule of law ".

"Each time these rules are flouted, as is the case in this case, my indignation and my determination are increased tenfold", proclaims the former head of state, sentenced Monday to three years in prison, one of which is closed for "corruption and influence peddling" in the so-called "wiretapping" case, a decision he will appeal.

"I cannot indeed accept to have been condemned for what I did not do", affirms Mr. Sarkozy, by denouncing a judgment "full of inconsistencies" and which "does not mention evidence, but d 'a bundle of clues ".

Referring to "a long-term fight", he recalls having appealed against the judgment.

But "perhaps this fight will have to end before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)".

"It would be painful for me to have my own country condemned, but I am ready because that would be the price of democracy," he adds.

If he "refutes" the expression "Republic of judges", because "honest and impartial magistrates are in the majority", he wonders: "who would want to deal with a magistrate like the first vice-prosecutor of the PNF Patrice Amar? "

Asked about his political future, while some on the right saw him as a possible "recourse" for the 2022 presidential election, Mr. Sarkozy assures him: "I said that I will not be a candidate for the presidential election, I maintain it ".

This "does not mean that I will not say what I think at the time of the elections, next year", he adds.

"When everyone has asserted their legitimate ambitions, I will say who I support and why I do it, in full transparency with my political family," he says, sidestepping the question of possible support for Emmanuel Macron.

"I am still a member of my political family, I will not abandon it," he assures us.

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