Spanish former police inspector in court over ‘sewers of state’ scandal

Jose Manuel Villarejo is accused of spying on and working to discredit high-profile Spanish figures

A former police inspector accused of spying on and working to discredit some of Spain's most high-profile politicians and business people has gone on trial to face charges including bribery, forgery, extortion and influence peddling.

Jose Manuel Villarejo, 70, a former officer in Spain's national police force, was arrested in 2017 and could face a jail term of 109 years if convicted. He is accused of involvement in a network of corrupt politicians, businesspeople, police officers and media figures known as the sewers of state".