London, Thanasis Gavos

The trial for the accusations by a series of celebrities has begun in Londonincluding him prince harryagainst a publishing group for tapping and tracking their phones.

The case concerns surveillance from 1996 to 2010 by journalists from the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and People newspapers belonging to the MGN publishing group.

The Duke of Sussex has highlighted 148 publications by the particular newspapers which he claims could only have been based on illegal sources. He claims that these publications and the way the information was obtained destroyed his personal relationships and caused him “general paranoia”.

Also plaintiffs are two actors, Michael Turner and Nicky Sanderson, as well as Fiona Wightman, ex-wife of actor Paul Wightman.

The hearing is expected to last up to seven weeks and in June Prince Harry will become the first member of the royal family since the 19th century to appear in court to give evidence.

The plaintiffs’ fire is directed, among others, against the then director of the Daily Mirror and well-known TV presenter Piers Morgan. At the opening of the trial on Wednesday, the plaintiffs’ lawyer succeeded against Mr. Morgan, who, however, denies having knowledge of the surveillance.

MGN Group has already paid £100m in compensation to victims of surveillance. In this particular trial, he is asking for the charges to be dropped due to the passage of many years since the offenses were committed.

The case is one of three similar cases involving Prince Harry. The other two relate to claims of wiretapping by the Daily Mail and Sun publishing groups. Court decisions are awaited as to whether these cases should also be tried.