The former president of the Dominican Republic, Joaquin Balaguer, is among one-hundred witnesses being called to testify at the trial of six people, including three former generals, accused of murdering a left-wing journalist in 1975.

The defendants are charged with killing Orlando Martinez, a member of the country's Communist Party and a vocal critic of Mr Balaguer.

Correspondents say the case came to symbolise the repression of Mr Balaguer's government in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mr Balaguer has always said he knows the identity of the murderers but their names will only be divulged after his own death.

The trial is expected to start next Thursday.