Ex-police chief denies bribery charges

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- South Africa's former chief of police, Jackie Selebi, pleaded not guilty in a Johannesburg court appearance Monday before his corruption trial begins.

Selebi eventually resigned as head of Interpol after he was charged with accepting bribes worth $157,000 and having links to organized crime, the BBC reported. He is the most senior member of the African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party, to face corruption charges. Charges against ANC leader Jacob Zuma were dropped shortly before he was elected president in April.

During the trial in Johannesburg's High Court, prosecutors will try to prove that Selebi, 58, took bribes during a five-year period, the British broadcaster reported. At the core of the allegations is Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti, who also is accused of involvement in the killing of a mining magnate.

The trail is scheduled to begin Tuesday.