Jacques Chirac prepared to stand trial

Former French President Jacques Chirac said he was ready to appear in court over accusations of embezzlement during his time as mayor of Paris and was determined to clear his name. In an interview with a radio station to be broadcast in full, Chirac said he had nothing to fear from a trial and was keen to explain himself. The judge, Mrs Simeoni, thought it necessary to send me in front of the courts. I have noted her decision, even if naturally, I contest her decision and her view, he said, referring to the investigating magistrate who decided to commit Chirac to trial for embezzlement she alleges he committed while mayor of Paris in the 1980s prior to his ascent to the presidency. In so doing, she set aside a request from the prosecution that the matter be dropped.