<p>French prosecutors said Monday they are opening a probe against ex-president Valery Giscard d'Estaing over allegations by a German journalist that he sexually assaulted her after an interview in 2018.</p>.<p>The investigation follows claims by reporter Ann-Kathrin Stracke that Giscard d'Estaing, 94, repeatedly touched her behind in his Paris office, officials told AFP.</p>.<p>Giscard d'Estaing, France's oldest surviving former leader, served as president from 1974 until 1981, when he lost out on re-election to Francois Mitterrand.</p>.<p>Stracke, 37, told AFP last week she had filed charges against the former leader, claiming he had placed his hands on her backside three times while they posed for a photograph together in December 2018, when he was 92.</p>.<p>"I decided to tell my story because I think that people should know that a French former president harassed me sexually after an interview," said the journalist for German public television WDR.</p>.<p>She took her case to Paris prosecutors on March 10 this year, backed by her employer which carried out an independent investigation into her claims.</p>.<p>Stracke said Monday she was pleased to hear of the decision, adding: "I am, of course, at the disposal of the French authorities in the context of this investigation."</p>.<p>Giscard d'Estaing's lawyer declined to comment.</p>
<p>French prosecutors said Monday they are opening a probe against ex-president Valery Giscard d'Estaing over allegations by a German journalist that he sexually assaulted her after an interview in 2018.</p>.<p>The investigation follows claims by reporter Ann-Kathrin Stracke that Giscard d'Estaing, 94, repeatedly touched her behind in his Paris office, officials told AFP.</p>.<p>Giscard d'Estaing, France's oldest surviving former leader, served as president from 1974 until 1981, when he lost out on re-election to Francois Mitterrand.</p>.<p>Stracke, 37, told AFP last week she had filed charges against the former leader, claiming he had placed his hands on her backside three times while they posed for a photograph together in December 2018, when he was 92.</p>.<p>"I decided to tell my story because I think that people should know that a French former president harassed me sexually after an interview," said the journalist for German public television WDR.</p>.<p>She took her case to Paris prosecutors on March 10 this year, backed by her employer which carried out an independent investigation into her claims.</p>.<p>Stracke said Monday she was pleased to hear of the decision, adding: "I am, of course, at the disposal of the French authorities in the context of this investigation."</p>.<p>Giscard d'Estaing's lawyer declined to comment.</p>