By Daily Mail Reporter Nicolas Sarkozy intervened in divorce proceedings on behalf of the Aga Khan four years after granting the multi-billionaire British knight exemption from all French taxes, it emerged today. The former French president, who is a lawyer, took on the case last Autumn a year after a court ordered the religious leader to pay his estranged German wife, Begum Inaara Aga Khan, around £54million. Mr Sarkozy was 'pulling the strings in the background' with the aim of obtaining a settlement, according to sources close to the case. 'Pulling the strings': Nicolas Sarkozy intervened on behalf of the Aga Khan (left) in his divorce proceedings with estranged wife Begum Inaara Aga Khan (centre), seen here on their wedding day in 1998
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Mr Sarkozy took on case after billionaire was ordered to pay £54m to wife
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E-mails suggest he played direct role from October to December last year
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Tried to reach settlement with Begum Inaara Aga Khan, but none was made
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Comes after ex-president 'exonerated' Prince from paying any tax in France
Eight-year legal fight: Details of Mr Sarkozy's involvement emerged as the @placeholder's office confirmed the highest French court has now quashed the £54million divorce settlement to the Begum from 2011