Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under formal investigation by magistrates in Paris on suspicion of influence peddling and other crimes related to his 2007 election campaign.

This is the first time that a French head of state has been held in police custody.

Under French law, being placed under formal investigation means there exists “serious or consistent evidence” pointing to probable implication of a suspect in a crime.

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and a judge Gilbert Azibert are also under formal investigation.

The inquiry began when judges looked into claims that the former President of France from 2007-2012 received illegal funding from former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Sarkozy’s plans of running for president in 2017 look like they could now be in serious jeopardy.