3 Min Read PARIS (Reuters) - Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy went back on trial on Wednesday, this time on charges of illegally financing his failed 2012 re-election bid, but judges adjourned proceedings due to the absence of a defence lawyer sick with COVID-19. Slideshow ( 4 images ) Sarkozy, 66, was not present for the opening of the trial, which comes less than three weeks after he was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption and influence-peddling. Prosecutors allege that Sarkozy’s party, then known as the UMP, splurged nearly double the 22.5 million euros ($27 million) permitted under electoral law on extravagant campaign rallies, then used a friendly public relations agency to hide the cost.