Nicolas Sarkozy looks set to face trial

Nicolas Sarkozy looks set to face trial - A top French court has rejected an appeal by former president Nicolas Sarkozy to avoid facing charges of illicit financing for his failed 2012 re-election bid, with a trial of the ex-head of state now appearing inevitable. Prosecutors claim Sarkozy spent nearly 43 million euros almost double the legal limit of 22.5 million euros using fake invoices, and demanded he answer the charges in court.

Sarkozy has denounced the charges, saying he was unaware of the fraud by executives at the public relations firm Bygmalion, who are also among a total of 13 people likely to face trial.