Nicolas Sarkozy calls case against him 'political'

PARIS, July 3 (UPI) -- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy claims the anti-corruption investigation against him has been politically motivated.

The judicial system, Sarkozy alleged in an interview broadcast Wednesday evening, is being used for "political ends."

Investigators are looking into whether Sarkozy made promises to a high-ranking judge in exchange for information about an on-going investigation into alleged illegal campaign funding. He was temporarily detained for questioning on Tuesday and released around midnight.

"Everything is being done to give me a reputation that is not true," the former president asserted.

"The situation is sufficiently serious to tell the French people where we stand on the political exploitation of part of the legal system today.

"I say to all those who are listening or watching that I have never betrayed them and have never committed an act against the Republic's principles and the rule of law."

The 59-year-old Sarkozy was president from 2007 to 2012.