France, Aug. 26 -- The National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) said on Monday that a preliminary investigation was opened on 19 August for suspected embezzlement of public funds, handling of misappropriated funds and illegal collection of public funds by a public official.

It said the enquiry was aimed at "carrying out the necessary checks into [Bagayoko's] conditions of employment" at the state-owned RATP Paris transport agency.

The case was opened following reports in satirical and investigative weekly paper Le Canard enchaîne, which then led to two complaints being filed.

In an article published on 4 August, Le Canard enchaine reported that before becoming France Unbowed (LFI) mayor of Saint-Denis in March this year, Bagay...