By Elliott Gotkine BBC correspondent in Lima

Montesinos' ex-lover (left) added glamour to the day's proceedings

Day two of what has been dubbed in Peru as the trial of the century degenerated into farce as Vladimiro Montesinos refused to say a word.

The former right-hand man of ex-President Alberto Fujimori is accused of using his influence to get his ex-lover's half brother freed from jail and her uncle out of trouble with the courts.

Mr Montesinos faces a total of at least 57 charges, including drug trafficking, embezzlement and human rights abuses.

He faces life imprisonment if found guilty.

'Emotional blackmail'

Mr Montesinos had already warned the court on Tuesday - via a written declaration - that he planned to exercise his right to silence, and in that sense, he did not disappoint.

But first, Mr Montesinos' ex-lover took the stand.

Wearing a tight zebra-striped top and a figure-hugging black skirt, Jacqueline Beltran reiterated her claims that she never once asked her partner of six years for any help.

In previous declarations, the 57-year old Mr Montesinos has said he was in love with Ms Beltran and that she and her mother emotionally blackmailed him to help her brother and uncle.

But the former spymaster said nothing.

Standing stiffly in his silver silk shirt, a smug-looking Mr Montesinos would not even confirm his name.

Maintaining silence

His lawyer, Dr Estela Valdivia, said Mr Montesinos did not think it fair that these judges had been hand-picked to deal with his case and threatened to complain to the international courts.

But the prosecution continued regardless.

Each time it asked a question, Mr Montesinos kept his mouth shut.

At times, he shook his head in disgust. At others, he looked plain bored.

The case resumes next Tuesday, but Mr Montesinos will be back in court on Friday on charges of diverting state funds to a local politician.