The trial was adjourned because one of the defendants, Austrian-Slovenian businessmen Walter Wolf, did not appear in court today.

Wolf's attorney presented to court documents showing that his client was in Canada and unable to arrive in Slovenia for the trial for health reasons.

Jansa's lawyer Franci Matoz suggested that the trial against Wolf be held separately, stressing that his client was interested in having the main hearing held as soon as possible so that he could prove his innocence.

The State Prosecutor's Office was against this proposal and presiding judge Barbara Klajnsek scheduled the main hearing for 12 September.

Before arriving in court today, Jansa told the press this trial was "a political farce", reiterating that the indictment did not contain any concrete evidence.

On the basis of an indictment proposal by the state prosecutor's organised crime unit, Jansa is accused of illegal mediation in the deal which Patria landed, when he was prime minister, together with Joza Zagozen, a formerly prominent official in Jansa's party. Zagozen also denied all charges against him.

Apart from Jansa, Zagozen and Wolf, the other defendants in the case are former senior Slovenian army officer Anton Krkovic and entrepreneur Ivan Crnkovic, owner of the Rotis company, which was Patria's mediator in the deal with Slovenia.

Illegal mediation carries a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine.

Since this case came to light in the autumn of 2008, Jansa has been saying that he is being framed by political opponents and denied mediating in Patria's favour. He has also dismissed any suspicion that he or his Slovenian Democratic Party asked or received any kickbacks, as claimed by the media.