The trial of the former Trump campaign leader began – overseas

Manafort is responsible for tax and banking fraud. The 69-year-old man is accused of depriving the authorities of millions of dollars in revenue, which he did as a political adviser in Ukraine. He is also accused of lying to the banks for $ 20 million in loans

. This is the first trial of Special Investigator Robert Mueller during the Russian investigation. However, these allegations have nothing to do with the essence of his investigation into the question of whether or not there was collusion between Trump Camp and Russia during the election campaign. 2016. Other Trump's environmental personalities, who are at the center of the investigation, pleaded guilty and avoided such processes. Manafort pleaded not guilty

Manafort led Trump's campaign from June to August 2016. He was responsible, among other things, for the important party congress, in which Trump won the nomination of Republicans. The President has distanced himself from Manafort

Politically explosive process

The three-week trial began on Tuesday with the selection of twelve jurors. He will be delighted when the former Manafort business partner, Rick Gates, will be heard as a witness. He was also charged, but negotiated an agreement with the prosecutor.

Manafort threatens a jail sentence of dozens of years. Experts believe, however, that he would receive a total of seven to twelve years in a guilty verdict. In September, a second lawsuit against Manafort is also scheduled in Washington, which will focus on allegations of money laundering.

Trump routinely denounces the Mueller investigation as a politically motivated "witch hunt" that should discredit his presidency. He called the Manafort briefing in prison "very unfair".

Mueller and Trump are at stake in the trial. A verdict of guilty would strengthen Mueller's investigation. An acquittal, in turn, could be considered a confirmation of the President's presentation.