By Phil Mercer BBC correspondent in Sydney

The coup in 2000 deeply divided the Pacific island along racial lines

The charges relate to his alleged role in a nationalist coup four years ago.

Mr Seniloli is the most senior figure to face charges over the uprising, which ousted the government of Fiji's first ethnic Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry.

The coup was led by George Speight - a failed businessman who is serving a life sentence for treason.

'Unlawful oath'

Mr Seniloli is accused of being sworn in as president by Speight when the former rebel leader was attempting to take over the country in May 2000.

At the time, members of Fiji's elected government were being held at gunpoint inside the parliament compound in the capital, Suva.

It is claimed Mr Seniloli took an unlawful oath to become president while the incumbent Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was still in office.

The trial is expected to last for two weeks.

There is strict security around the court buildings in Suva with police and soldiers on duty.

In total six men are facing charges relating to Speight's attempts to create his own hardline nationalist government in the midst of the chaos that the armed rebellion caused.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Despite his suspected links with extremists, Mr Seniloli was sworn in as vice president in the aftermath of the coup.

His appointment illustrates how Fijian nationalism has prospered since the uprising.

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has been determined to enhance the political and economic power of the indigenous community at the expense of the large ethnic Indian minority.