Corruption trial opens in France

Ex-minister Drut was convicted in a case from Chirac's time as mayor. Forty-nine businessmen and public housing officials have gone on trial, accused of taking bribes when President Jacques Chirac was mayor of Paris. Prosecutors claim that during the 1980s and 1990s, housing department officials received bribes from contractors for licences to build council housing.

They say (allegedly) that the money was used to fund Mr Chirac's Rally for the Republic (RPR).

Mr Chirac has denied any wrongdoing and is protected by presidential immunity from standing trial.

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