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Sat 07 Jul 2007Former French PM faces formal investigationFRANCE:Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin was placed under formal investigation yesterday over his alleged attempt to smear rival Nicolas Sarkozy before the recent presidential election.Mr de Villepin (53) is accused of "complicity in making false accusations" by judges investigating the scandal known as the Clearstream affair. He was mis en examen, the first step towards criminal charges, after evidence suggested he was responsible for leaking false information claiming Mr Sarkozy had a secret bank account in Luxembourg.