Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took the stand on Wednesday as a witness in a major graft trial involving former members of his conservative Popular Party, a first in the country.

Rajoy began answering questions shortly after 10:00 am (0800 GMT) after swearing to tell the truth at a court in San Fernando de Henares, near Madrid in proceedings televised live.

The trial centres on a vast kickback scheme that allegedly saw companies shower former PP lawmakers and civil servants with bribes in exchange for contracts.

source: AFP