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PARIS — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s car wheeled out of the court parking lot in the dead of night Wednesday after he was charged in a corruption probe, a televised reminder of just how often France’s political elite is charged with wrongdoing in office.

The former conservative party leader, whose political comeback has been floated by his faltering UMP party, had been in custody answering questions from judicial officials. His personal lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and magistrate Gilbert Azibert were also questioned.

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Sarkozy is accused of tapping political allies to gain intelligence on a flurry of probes linked to campaign finance. He has vigorously denied wrongdoing and planned to address the latest allegations on television Wednesday.

“This situation is serious. The facts are serious,” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told BFM television. “But as head of the government, I’m asking that we remember the independence of the justice system, which must carry out its work serenely. No one is above the law is the second principle. And thirdly, an important reminder, there is the presumption of innocence.”