Samsung boss Lee Jae-Yong goes on trial in South Korea

Lee Jae-Yong denies charges of embezzlement and perjury.

Prosecutors say he gave 43bn Korean won ($38m; £30m) to President Park Guen-hye's friend for political favours.

Ms Park is suspected of colluding with Choi Soon-sil to get conglomerates to donate to Ms Choi's foundations.

Ms Park was arrested last week, after being impeached, and sent to a detention centre, although she has not yet been formally charged.

Mr Lee, who appeared in court in handcuffs, has denied the bribery allegations, saying Samsung was coerced into handing over the funds.

Another four Samsung executives have also appeared in court in connection with the scandal. They also deny the accusations.

Lee Jae-yong

- Grandson of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul, son of current chairman Lee Kun-hee.
- Also known as Jay Y Lee, the 48-year-old has spent his entire career in the company.
- Is vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and was nominated to join the firm's board in October 2016.
- Despite his arrest, still widely expected to take overall control of Samsung.
- Critics say his rise through Samsung has been due to his birth, not his business experience.
- Samsung scandal: Who is Lee Jae-yong?
- South Korea's presidential scandal
Mr Lee's case is "one of the most deep-rooted and typical cases involving unhealthy relations between politicians and businessmen," said Special Prosecutor Park Young-Soo in his opening statement in Seoul's Central District Court.

Mr Lee, the 48-year-old vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, has been the parent company Samsung Group's de facto head since his father Lee Kun-hee suffered a heart attack in 2014.

He was arrested in February.
BBC Sources