The lawyer confirmed the allegations that French authorities are pursuing in a text message to Reuters. Under French law, a suspect is not formally charged with a crime unless he is sent to trial. He denied any wrongdoing by Bollore.

The investigation relates to allegations that the businessman's Groupe Bollore worked on the election campaigns of presidential candidates in Africa in return for lucrative port contracts.

Groupe Bollore has denied any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Gwenaelle Barzic; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Alexander Smith)