Police raid Fillon's home in 'fake jobs' probe

French police on Thursday raided the home of French presidential candidate and former premier Francois Fillon in connection to a "fake jobs" probe involving his wife.

The French daily "Le Parisien" reported that the raids took place in Paris' seventh district. A campaign aid later told reporters that the operations "finished several hours ago."

The center-right politician vowed on Wednesday to continue his presidential campaign amid a criminal investigation into allegations his British wife Penelope Fillon received nearly one million euros ($1.05 million) for a parliamentary job she did not hold.

Prosecutors last week appointed a magistrate to investigate the allegations, effectively placing more resources into the probe.

Fillon has accused authorities of politicizing the investigation, saying he has "not been treated like anyone else facing the justice system."

Dwindling support

Since his announcement, a campaign treasurer and three legislators of Fillon's Republicans party have quit his campaign. The center-right lawmakers said in a statement that the campaign had taken a turn "incompatible" with their political aspirations.

The presidential candidate has seen his support drop since the allegations emerged in an investigative report by French satirical newspaper "Le Canard Enchaine."

An opinion poll by the "JDD" newspaper suggested that 65 percent of respondents wanted Fillon to withdraw from the presidential election, slated for April with a runoff in May.

The latest polls place former Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron and right-wing National Front candidate Marine Le Pen against each other in the second round.

ls/rg (AFP, EFE, dpa)