French ex-President Sarkozy stands trial for corruption

Former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy is due to begin his trial in curt.

He was nicknamed the bling-bling president for what many in France saw as his lavish tastes, but now faces the stark reality of a soulless courtroom.

Sarkozy is going on trial accused of corruption and influence-peddling, for allegedly trying to bribe a magistrate in return for information about an investigation into his party finances.

He will be the first ex-president in modern France to appear in the dock.

The former president led France from 2007 to 2012.