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Ex-Interpol man denies corruption Ex-Interpol man denies corruption
(29 minutes later)
South Africa's former chief of police Jackie Selebi has pleaded not guilty at the start of his corruption trial.South Africa's former chief of police Jackie Selebi has pleaded not guilty at the start of his corruption trial.
Mr Selebi resigned as head of Interpol after he was charged with having links to organised crime and accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($157,000, £98,000). He resigned as Interpol president after being charged with having links to organised crime and accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($157,000, £98,000).
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Johannesburg says his case is seen as a test of a much-criticised justice system.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Johannesburg says his case is seen as a test of a much-criticised justice system.
He is a senior member of the ruling African National Congress and the trial could have political ramifications.He is a senior member of the ruling African National Congress and the trial could have political ramifications.
As he left court, Mr Selebi said: "I am ready to drop bombshells."As he left court, Mr Selebi said: "I am ready to drop bombshells."
His lawyers said the charges were part of a conspiracy against him by the National Prosecuting Authority.His lawyers said the charges were part of a conspiracy against him by the National Prosecuting Authority.
JACKIE SELEBI 1987: Head of ANC Youth League1991: In charge of repatriating ANC exiles1994: Elected MP1995: South Africa's ambassador to UN2000: Appointed police chief2004: Elected head of Interpol2008: Charged with corruption, resigns as Interpol head, suspended as SA police chief2009: Denies charges at start of trial SA's controversial police chief JACKIE SELEBI 1987: Head of ANC Youth League1991: In charge of repatriating ANC exiles1994: Elected MP1995: South Africa's ambassador to UN2000: Appointed police chief2004: Elected Interpol president2008: Charged with corruption, resigns as Interpol head, suspended as SA police chief2009: Denies charges at start of trial SA's controversial police chief
They said the NPA had offered criminals immunity from prosecution if they testified against Mr Selebi.They said the NPA had offered criminals immunity from prosecution if they testified against Mr Selebi.
The NPA has previously been accused of being heavily politicised, especially in its prosecution of President Jacob Zuma.The NPA has previously been accused of being heavily politicised, especially in its prosecution of President Jacob Zuma.
During the case at Johannesburg's High Court, prosecutors will seek to prove that Mr Selebi, 58, received corrupt payments over a five-year period.During the case at Johannesburg's High Court, prosecutors will seek to prove that Mr Selebi, 58, received corrupt payments over a five-year period.
The South African Press Association says he stood solemnly in a grey suit as the charges against him - two of corruption and one of defeating the end of justice - were read out.The South African Press Association says he stood solemnly in a grey suit as the charges against him - two of corruption and one of defeating the end of justice - were read out.
"I plead not guilty," he said."I plead not guilty," he said.
At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti, who is also accused of links to the murder of a prominent mining magnate.At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti, who is also accused of links to the murder of a prominent mining magnate.
Prosecutors allege that Agliotti paid bribes and gifts to the police commissioner in exchange for turning a blind eye to drugs trafficking.Prosecutors allege that Agliotti paid bribes and gifts to the police commissioner in exchange for turning a blind eye to drugs trafficking.
Mr Selebi, who was South Africa's first black police chief, was a close ally of former President Thabo Mbeki, a bitter rival to Mr Zuma.Mr Selebi, who was South Africa's first black police chief, was a close ally of former President Thabo Mbeki, a bitter rival to Mr Zuma.
Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were dropped shortly before he became president after elections in April. He said those were part of a plot against him by Mbeki allies.Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were dropped shortly before he became president after elections in April. He said those were part of a plot against him by Mbeki allies.
Mr Selebi was a political appointee and had no previous experience of policing when he was appointed as police chief in 2000.Mr Selebi was a political appointee and had no previous experience of policing when he was appointed as police chief in 2000.
When the allegations of corruption first surfaced, opposition parties accused Mr Mbeki of protecting Mr Selebi.When the allegations of corruption first surfaced, opposition parties accused Mr Mbeki of protecting Mr Selebi.
His contract was extended even after he had been charged with corruption.His contract was extended even after he had been charged with corruption.
The case has now been postponed until Tuesday. The case has now been adjourned until Tuesday.