[JURIST] A French court on Thursday acquitted former prime minister Dominique de Villepin of all charges for his role in an alleged plot to defame several businessmen, including current President Nicolas Sarkozy. Prosecutors claimed de Villepin failed to stop the circulation of false documents, alleging Sarkozy profited from illegal arms deals when the two were vying for the presidency. Before his acquittal, de Villepin had faced the possibility of an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a 45,000 fine. Sarkozy said Thursday that he will not appeal the verdict.
In October, de Villepin denied breaking the law and claimed that Sarkozy ordered the prosecution for personal and political reasons. De Villepin and his alleged co-conspirators went on trial last September. In November 2008, de Villepin was ordered to stand trial for his connection with the long-running political scandal known as the Clearstream Affair. De Villepin’s political image was tainted by the allegations as well as by his advance of an unpopular youth labor law during his time as prime minister.