"... Chirac, placed under investigation..."

In the WSJ, here

".... placed under investigation, meaning that the investigating judge has ruled there is strong evidence to suggest involvement in a crime. It also gives investigators more time to decide whether to send a suspect to trial or drop the case. Were Mr. Chirac to go to trial on this latest issue, he would face up to five years in prison and risk a fine of up to €75,000 ($107,000) if convicted.... The former president already risks up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to €150,000 in the earlier case in which he is being sent to trial, although observers say a prison sentence would be highly unlikely. It will mark the first time a former leader of modern France is forced to stand trial. No date has been set..."