PARIS (AP) — Former President Nicolas Sarkozy has accused France’s justice system of trying to “humiliate” and “destroy” him, after he was charged in a corruption probe that could spell trouble for his future political ambitions.

The former conservative party leader fought back in a broadcast interview Wednesday, just hours after his release from questioning over a highly publicized investigation into judicial allegations that he took 50 million euros ($67 million) in illegal campaign funds from Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi.