Paris: A French court on Tuesday suspended the
trial of former president Jacques Chirac, charged with
embezzling public funds as mayor of Paris in the 1990s,
following a constitutional challenge.
Presiding judge Dominique Pauth ordered the trial
suspended so that constitutional authorities can examine
whether certain charges in the case are still admissible
despite having taken place nearly two decades ago.
He proposed that the trial be rescheduled for a date
"around June 20."
Pauthe said he was suspending the trial while the
question is examined by an appeals court which may refer it to
the constitutional court -- a process that may take several
months.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 00:38