Former France PM charged in Sarkozy defamation campaign News
Former France PM charged in Sarkozy defamation campaign

[JURIST] French magistrates have filed preliminary charges of "complicity in slanderous denunciations" against former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin [official profile, in French; JURIST news archive], Villepin's lawyer said Friday. Villepin is accused of ordering a smear campaign against former political rival and current French President Nicolas Sarkozy [official profile; JURIST news archive] as well as being responsible for several anonymous letters sent to a magistrate accusing Sarkozy of owning secret bank accounts used to receive kickbacks from a 1991 frigate sale to Taiwan [Wikipedia backgrounder]. Magistrates believe that Villepin knew that Sarkozy did not own the accounts. Villepin, who has denied the allegations [JURIST report], was also questioned by magistrates on Friday.

Investigators searched Villepin's offices [JURIST report] and home in July. In December 2006, Villepin was questioned [JURIST report] by magistrates for more than 17 hours in connection with the smear investigation. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

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The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

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