A judge in Nicaragua has ordered the country's civil aeronautics director and six colleagues to stand trial for the alleged illegal use of a plane President Arnoldo Aleman once travelled in.

The director, Mario Rivas, is charged with a number of offences including drug-trafficking, obstructing justice and conspiracy.

Mr Rivas has denied any wrongdoing.

Earlier this month an investigation by Nicaraguan police found that the plane a Lear Jet had been stolen from Florida and used to transport cocaine.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service