French ex-minister in art trial

Roland Dumas was cleared of bribery charges last year

Former French foreign minister Roland Dumas has gone on trial in Paris on charges of corruption.

He is accused accepting a bribe in connection with the sale of artworks by the sculptor Alberto Giacometti.

Mr Dumas, a lawyer who served under Socialist President Francois Mitterrand, was an executor of the will of the sculptor's widow.

He is accused of receiving a pay-off to keep quiet about proceeds allegedly retained illegally by the auctioneer.

It is alleged that Mr Dumas was paid nearly $500,000 (370,000 euros; £255,000) by auctioneer Jacques Tajan, who sold the artworks in 1994.

Mr Dumas says the money he received was for legal services.

Legal services

Mr Tajan, who is also on trial, is accused of selling 14 sculptures and four paintings, and retaining a portion of the proceeds for several years.

He is also accused of keeping the interest that that sum accrued during that period.

The prosecution argued that the money paid to Mr Dumas as executor was used to encourage him to turn a blind eye to this. The full sale value was eventually paid.

Mr Dumas, 82, is accused in French law of complicity in aggravated breach of trust.

Mr Tajan's defence is that it is standard practice in France for auctioneers to retain a portion of the proceeds of a sale as a protection against complications.

Mr Dumas is no stranger now to the law courts of France. He was cleared on appeal last year of taking bribes from the oil group Elf while he was a minister.