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Former Interpol head faces trial Ex-Interpol head Selebi in court
(about 1 hour later)
The corruption trial of South Africa's suspended police chief and ex-Interpol head Jackie Selebi is due to start. South African prosecutors have applied for the corruption trial of suspended police chief and ex-Interpol head Jackie Selebi to be postponed.
He is accused of accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($133,000, £90,000) between 2000 and 2005, reports the South African Press Association. He is accused of accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($133,000, £90,000).
The police commissioner has previously denied such charges. He has previously denied the charges and says there has been a conspiracy to remove him from his job.
He was a close ally of Thabo Mbeki, who stood down as president last September after a power struggle with African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma. He was a close ally of Thabo Mbeki, who stood down as president last year after a bitter dispute with Jacob Zuma, leader of the governing ANC.
Earlier last year, Mr Selebi was placed on leave and forced to resign as head of Interpol after authorities announced that he would be charged.
A corruption case against Mr Zuma, who is expected to become president after elections this month, collapsed last week.A corruption case against Mr Zuma, who is expected to become president after elections this month, collapsed last week.
The National Prosecution Authority said phone-tap evidence suggested political interference in the investigation. The National Prosecution Authority said phone-tap evidence suggested political interference in the investigation against him.
Documents
Mr Selebi sat impassively as photographers circled him in court, the South African Press Association reports.
I am only hopeful that my case will go the same way as ANC president Jacob Zuma's because there isn't any evidence of my wrongdoing Jackie Selebi SA's controversial police chief
Earlier last year, Mr Selebi was placed on leave and forced to resign as head of Interpol after authorities announced that he would be charged.
According to Sapa, NPA prosecutor Gerrie Nel said he wanted to wait until another court had ruled on whether documents collected by the Scorpions, an anti-crime unity recently disbanded by parliament, would be available for the case.
His team had, after a meeting with Mr Mbeki and former Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy, managed to negotiate the right to view documents, but not to copy them or take them away.
"That is still the case today," Mr Nel said.
Mr McCarthy is accused of interfering in the case against Mr Zuma.
Mr Selebi's lawyers are expected to oppose any delay.
"I am only hopeful that my case will go the same way as ANC president Jacob Zuma's because there isn't any evidence of my wrongdoing," Mr Selebi earlier told South Africa's Sowetan newspaper.
"They must come and present what evidence they have against me," he said.
At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti.At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti.
The NPA has alleged that Agliotti paid bribes and gifts to the police commissioner in exchange for turning a blind eye to drugs trafficking.The NPA has alleged that Agliotti paid bribes and gifts to the police commissioner in exchange for turning a blind eye to drugs trafficking.
Mr Selebi, who is also accused of defeating justice, has denied allegations of links to organised crime.Mr Selebi, who is also accused of defeating justice, has denied allegations of links to organised crime.