Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been formally placed under investigation after entering police custody for questioning on Tuesday in a probe into alleged influence peddling.

Sarkozy is under suspicion of trying to use his influence to obstruct an investigation of his 2007 election campaign.

A prosecutor said Wednesday that the former French leader tried to get information from a judge about the probe.

Sarkozy’s lawyer and a judge involved in the case were also placed under formal investigation.

Sarkozy turned himself in Tuesday at a police station in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. French media say this is the first time a French former head of state has been detained for investigation.

The probe involves the question of whether the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi contributed funds to Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign.

Investigators are acting on evidence collected after tapping Sarkozy’s phone lines.

Sarkozy has denied any wrongdoing in the case, which is one of several against him that may affect any future run at a return to office. After losing to current president Francois Hollande in 2012, Sarkozy has indicated he may mount another presidential campaign.

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