French leader Hollande denies influencing justice system in Sarkozy scandal

France's President Francois Hollande arrives to attend the traditional Bastille Day parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris on July 14, 2014. French leader Francois Hollande forcefully denied having influenced the justice system in a corrupt
France's President Francois Hollande arrives to attend the traditional Bastille Day parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris on July 14, 2014. French leader Francois Hollande forcefully denied having influenced the justice system in a corruption scandal surrounding Nicolas Sarkozy after the former president claimed he was the victim of a set-up. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

PARIS (AFP) - French leader Francois Hollande forcefully denied having influenced the justice system in a corruption scandal surrounding Nicolas Sarkozy after the former president claimed he was the victim of a set-up.

"I not only did not do it (influence the justice system) but I couldn't even have thought about it as it goes so against the conception of democracy and also the spirit of my responsibility," he said in a television interview on France's national day.

Sarkozy has been hit by a series of graft allegations. He was charged several weeks ago with corruption and influence peddling over an alleged attempt to interfere in judicial proceedings in another case.

He vehemently denies the charges and gave a television interview denouncing "political interference".

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