The first ever trial of an ex-president of the Federal Republic of Germany has begun in the northern city of Hanover where Christian Wulff is accused of accepting financial favours in office.
Once tipped as a successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, he quit the largely ceremonial president’s role in disgrace in February last year.
He is charged over a visit to the Munich Oktoberfest beer festival in 2008, when prosecutors claim his hotel bill was paid by film producer David Groenewold, who is also on trial.
More serious charges were dropped.
Wulff, 54, denies any wrongdoing over the claims that relate to his time as state premier of Lower Saxony. He rejected a bid by prosecutors to settle out of court, Euronews informs.
