Observers of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will monitor the murder trial of Dutchman Joran van der Sloot due to get under way today in Lima, Peruvian media report.

Mr Van der Sloot’s lawyers have filed a complaint with the commission saying their client’s human rights were violated during his detention in Chili, his extradition to Peru and his interrogation in the Peruvian capital Lima. The lawyer and the translator appointed to assist Mr Van der Sloot during his questioning, his lawyers claim, failed to act in an impartial way.

The trial is due to start on Friday afternoon local time amid intense international media attention. The father of Stephany Flores, whom Mr Van der Sloot is accused of murdering in Lima in May 2010, has already arrived at the court house but refused to face the press. The Dutch defendant has been charged with murder followed by theft. The Public Prosecutor is expected to seek a 30-year prison term and a fine of 50,000 euros.

(cl)

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