We ended up knowing them by heart these twenty-four audio files of conversations intercepted between January 29 and February 26, 2014 on the Bismuth occult line used by Nicolas Sarkozy and Thierry Herzog. We heard them in all tones. In soundtrack, broadcast for the first time, Tuesday, December 6, in the courtroom. In subtitled version, commented, corrected by the former President of the Republic, then by his lawyer and friend during their interrogations. In a single accusatory batch by the two representatives of the public prosecutor’s office in their indictment. And, finally, hollowed out, minced, crumbled by the six pleadings of the defense lawyers, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 December.
Whichever way you take them, these conversations testify that in 2014, the adviser to the Court of Cassation Gilbert Azibert responded well to the many requests from his friend Thierry Herzog for him to find out about a decision that was to be taken by a another chamber of the Court, regarding the legality of the seizure of Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidential diaries. They also show that Thierry Herzog, who knew that his magistrate friend was aiming for an honorary position in Monaco for his retirement – paid 5,000 euros a year – promised him to plead his case with Nicolas Sarkozy so that he would receive one. word to his relations in the Principality. Finally, they say that the former president has, at least for a time, undertaken to render this service. We know, finally, that the decision finally rendered by the Court of Cassation was unfavorable to the interests of Nicolas Sarkozy and that Gilbert Azibert did not obtain the post in Monaco.
“A matter of exceptional gravity, one of the most serious under the Ve Republic » General Advocate Muriel Fusina
So much for the certainties. But the three judges of the Paris Court of Appeal take away in their deliberation two radically opposed readings of this file. Of the “Clear Conversations” for the prosecution who, alone are sufficient to prove a “corruption pact” chemically pure. “Conversation by conversation, they contain indications of participation in the offense of corruption and influence peddling”, advocate general Muriel Fusina argued. “A matter of exceptional gravity, one of the most serious under the Ve Republic, facts which affect the image of our country in the world, ravage and undermine the foundations of our democracy”, commented the Advocate General Yves Micolet, requesting, Tuesday, December 13, three years of suspended imprisonment – four years, including two firm, had been requested at first instance – accompanied by five years of prohibition of civil rights for MM . Sarkozy and Azibert and a professional ban of the same duration for Mr. Herzog.
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