France: Ex-minister Accused of Art Fraud Trial

France's former foreign minister, Roland Dumas, and the country's leading auctioneer, Jacques Tajan, are to be tried after accusations of an alleged fraud involving artworks left by the Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti.

Mr Dumas, 81, the closest political ally of the late president, François Mitterrand, was acquitted in January of fraudulently accepting antiques and a pair of shoes during the Elf oil company scandal. He was ill for much of that trial and lawyers said that they feared for him if he had to return to court.

In 1993 Giacometti's widow, Annette, died and Mr Dumas, who practised at the bar with Mitterrand, was appointed her executor and principal administrator of a proposed foundation dedicated to the sculptor, who died in Switzerland in 1966.

Family disputes over Giacometti's legacy and a series of court cases were considered the main reason for the 10-year delay in setting up the foundation, which intends to lend thousands of unexhibited sculptures to museums across the world.

But the impending trial of Mr Dumas and Mr Tajan has revealed other legal problems over the legacy of the artist. Giacometti's slim works fetch millions, with a top price of $14m (£8m) having been paid for his sculpture Grande Femme Debout II - big, standing woman.

The 2.68 metre statue was sold by Christie's in New York in 2000. In ordering a trial, Judge Colette Bismuth-Sarron submitted a report which alleged that the auction house kept more than €300,000 (£210,000) from a Giacometti sale in 1994. She alleged that €380,000 was transferred by the firm to Mr Dumas's bank account although there was "practically no trace" of legal assistance to the auctioneer by the retired politician.

Lawyers for Mr Tajan said he had "only obeyed instructions" given to him by Mr Dumas.