Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy returned to the witness stand on Wednesday to be questioned about two sworn written statements from Claude Guéant, his former friend who served as chief of staff, secretary-general, and eventually interior minister during his administration. Now 81, Guéant was excused from attending court proceedings due to health matters. A key figure in Sarkozy’s ascent to the Élysée Palace, he learned in March that Sarkozy had questioned his integrity at the Paris Court of Appeal by suggesting that his former right-hand man may have been motivated by personal financial gain. Guéant fired back in statements the following month contradicting his former boss – without directly accusing him – and shattering what had until now been a united front. Guéant insists he did nothing more than “follow instructions” given by Sarkozy. The stakes are high for Sarkozy, with both his legacy as president and his personal freedom on the line. He spent 20 days behind bars in November following his conviction on criminal conspiracy charges, when he was sentenced to five years in prison. If convicted on appeal, he faces up to 10 years in prison. The trial is set to conclude in late May and a verdict is expected in November.

#world