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Shrien Dewani: Accused denies plot to murder wife Anni Shrien Dewani: Accused denies plot to murder wife Anni
(about 1 hour later)
British businessman Shrien Dewani has formally pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife on their honeymoon in South Africa in 2010.British businessman Shrien Dewani has formally pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife on their honeymoon in South Africa in 2010.
Mr Dewani, from Bristol, is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his wife Anni.Mr Dewani, from Bristol, is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his wife Anni.
The couple were held at gunpoint while being driven in a taxi through Gugulethu township near Cape Town.The couple were held at gunpoint while being driven in a taxi through Gugulethu township near Cape Town.
Mr Dewani, 34, was thrown from the car. The body of Mrs Dewani, 28, was found the next day in the abandoned taxi with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Mr Dewani, 34, who was thrown from the taxi, has told Western Cape Crown Court his "whole world came crashing down" when his wife was found shot dead.
'Angry disagreement''Angry disagreement'
In Western Cape Crown Court, Mr Dewani faces five charges including murder and lying about the circumstances of Anni's death. Mr Dewani faces five charges including murder and lying about the circumstances of Anni's death.
Through defence lawyer Francois Van Zyl, Mr Dewani also said he has "had sexual interaction with both males and females". Through defence lawyer Francois Van Zyl, Mr Dewani said he has "had sexual interaction with both males and females".
"I consider myself to be bisexual," the court was told."I consider myself to be bisexual," the court was told.
The court also heard of a volatile relationship between the newlyweds, including an "angry disagreement" in May 2010.The court also heard of a volatile relationship between the newlyweds, including an "angry disagreement" in May 2010.
A letter sent later from Mr Dewani said "I really do love you. Want to be with you forever."A letter sent later from Mr Dewani said "I really do love you. Want to be with you forever."
But Anni wanted to call off the wedding claiming Mr Dewani was "too controlling".But Anni wanted to call off the wedding claiming Mr Dewani was "too controlling".
"We really frustrated each other, we were in love," Mr Dewani said through his lawyer."We really frustrated each other, we were in love," Mr Dewani said through his lawyer.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the trial, Anni's father Vinod Hindocha said he wanted answers from his estranged son-in-law. 'Helicopter surprise'
"I'm back in Cape Town today where my daughter was killed four years ago," he said. The pair married later in 2010 before travelling to South Africa for their honeymoon. According to Mr Dewani, he bought flexible tickets for the trip.
"Now that I'm here, all I ask for is the full story and justice. It was when the couple arrived in Cape Town that Mr Dewani met taxi driver Zola Tonga, who has already admitted his part in Anni's murder.
"I am confident that South Africa will conduct a fair and open trial of Shrien Dewani." Tonga told Mr Dewani he was an "executive tour guide", and was asked to hire a helicopter as a surprise for Anni.
In 2012, three men were convicted in connection with Mrs Dewani's death. South African prosecutors allege the millionaire businessman ordered the killing of his wife, who was a Swedish national. The driver, according to Mr Dewani, also helped to change £5,000 in order to get "a good market rate".
On the night of Anni's death Mr Dewani was carrying "a large amount of cash", and Tongo had texted Mr Dewani to ask if he still had money for the helicopter ride.
Later, when they were in the taxi, Tongo pulled off the motorway and the car was stopped. Mr Dewani described how his watch was pulled from his arm and he was asked for money.
Then, they asked Mr Dewani to get out of the car. When he refused, the court heard, a gun was held at his head before he got out of the car.
He then tried to find help before being taken back to his hotel by police.
Mr Dewani said he later met Tongo who he felt "sorry" for and had planned to give him some money.
At the scene - BBC reporter Andrew Plant in Cape TownAt the scene - BBC reporter Andrew Plant in Cape Town
The court opened at 9.30am this morning, before the full heat of the South African sun could fully beat down on the crowds waiting outside.The court opened at 9.30am this morning, before the full heat of the South African sun could fully beat down on the crowds waiting outside.
Dozens pushed to the front of the queue - local people looking for a place in the small public gallery, and knowing that every seat would be quickly taken up.Dozens pushed to the front of the queue - local people looking for a place in the small public gallery, and knowing that every seat would be quickly taken up.
Anni's family arrived first, then Shrien's family followed five minutes later. The families haven't spoken since the earliest days of this four-year murder investigation.Anni's family arrived first, then Shrien's family followed five minutes later. The families haven't spoken since the earliest days of this four-year murder investigation.
Dozens of journalists are left outside of the courtroom - it's simply not large enough for them all to watch proceedings inside.Dozens of journalists are left outside of the courtroom - it's simply not large enough for them all to watch proceedings inside.
And the trial isn't in the biggest courtroom here either. The justice service here is anxious that Shrien Dewani be protected as far as possible from the media gaze, worried that his mental state is fragile, and any relapse into depression may further delay a trial that has taken so long to come to court.And the trial isn't in the biggest courtroom here either. The justice service here is anxious that Shrien Dewani be protected as far as possible from the media gaze, worried that his mental state is fragile, and any relapse into depression may further delay a trial that has taken so long to come to court.
South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting Mrs Dewani and jailed for life.South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting Mrs Dewani and jailed for life.
Prosecutors claimed he was hired to carry out the killing.Prosecutors claimed he was hired to carry out the killing.
The couple's taxi driver, Zola Tongo, was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for 25 years. Zola Tongo, was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for 25 years.
The start of proceedings in a South African court follows a near four-year legal battle to bring Mr Dewani to trial.The start of proceedings in a South African court follows a near four-year legal battle to bring Mr Dewani to trial.
He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in December 2010 at the request of the South African authorities who said they would initiate extradition procedures.He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in December 2010 at the request of the South African authorities who said they would initiate extradition procedures.
Mr Dewani said he would not consent to being extradited.Mr Dewani said he would not consent to being extradited.
Lawyers argued Mr Dewani was not fit to stand trial and that he would be mistreated in a South African prison.Lawyers argued Mr Dewani was not fit to stand trial and that he would be mistreated in a South African prison.
He was detained in a hospital having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.He was detained in a hospital having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Later, when Mr Dewani's health improved, a judge ruled he could be extradited and, despite winning a right to appeal to the Supreme Court, he was put on a plane to Cape Town in April.Later, when Mr Dewani's health improved, a judge ruled he could be extradited and, despite winning a right to appeal to the Supreme Court, he was put on a plane to Cape Town in April.
Since then he has been held at the Valkenberg hospital unit awaiting trial.Since then he has been held at the Valkenberg hospital unit awaiting trial.