Spanish PM gives evidence

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

Protesters gathered in front of the courthouse on the outskirts of Madrid as Rajoy, who is in his second term in power at the helm of a minority government, arrived.

The court appearance was embarrassing for Rajoy, who has sought to distance himself from a series of corruption scandals that have for years surrounded his party, in power since 2011.

It was the first time a sitting prime minister had appeared in court. – AFP