The first former French head of state to face prosecution since the World War II era has now been found responsible for crimes.He was given a 2-year suspended prison sentence in corruption trial[.]
But Mr Chirac, who is 79 years old, did not take part in the trial after doctors determined that he suffers severe memory lapses.
The court said Thursday it had found Mr Chirac guilty in two related cases involving fake jobs created at the party he led during his 1977-1995 tenure as Paris mayor. Mr Chirac has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
It said the former president diverted city money to benefit his political party and reward supporters, the court ruled today.
In theory, Mr Chirac could have been sent to jail for 10 years, the maximum sentence for the charges against him. » | Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Thursday, December 15, 2011
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Chirac, un lion qui ne rugit plus : PORTRAIT | Sur la scène politique française depuis plus de 40 ans et à la tête du pays pendant 12 ans, Jacques Chirac est une bête politique incontournable, mais actuellement sur le déclin, en raison d'une maladie neurologique. » | AFP | jeudi 15 décembre 2011
