In France, an investigation has been launched against Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti.
This was decided by the Court of Justice of the Republic on suspicion of a conflict of interest, the minister's lawyers said on Friday.
Previously there had been about six hours of interrogation.
Lawyer Christophe Ingrain announced that they wanted to take action against the decision.
Dupond-Moretti has always denied the allegations against him.
Prime Minister Jean Castex once again expressed his full confidence in his Justice Minister in a letter.
According to media reports, it is the first time that an investigation has been opened against an incumbent French justice minister.
The opening of a preliminary investigation in France does not amount to an indictment.
The proceedings can ultimately lead to a criminal case if the investigators see sufficient evidence against the accused.
Otherwise you can stop the proceedings again.
According to the broadcaster France Info, the investigation is about Dupond-Moretti having used his position as Minister of Justice to settle disputes from his time as a lawyer.
To this end, he is said to have ordered administrative investigations against three senior officials in the judiciary.
Two unions of judges and prosecutors had brought the allegations against Dupond-Moretti.
Dupond-Moretti has been Minister of Justice for a year.
He surprisingly succeeded Nicole Belloubet in a government reshuffle in July 2020.
Even before his appointment, Dupond-Moretti was not without controversy in France.
He was known as a star defender and was an attorney in various high-profile lawsuits.
Dupond-Moretti was questioned before the Court of Justice of the Republic, which only judges the misconduct of French ministers in the exercise of their office.