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Five years after allegedly killing his ex-partner Cecilia Haddad and dumping her body in Sydney's Lane Cove River, Mario Marcelo Santoro is facing a Brazil court.
Haddad's body was found in the river on April 29, 2018.
At first, NSW Police said the 38-year-old Brazilian businesswoman's death wasn't suspicious.
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But days later, following the discovery of her abandoned red Fiat at West Ryde train station, and with detectives learning she'd missed a string of appointments, a murder investigation was launched.
Santoro was arrested in Brazil in July 2018 and charged with Haddad's murder.
Police alleged Santoro, 44, strangled Haddad and dumped her body in a river eight kilometres from her Ryde apartment.
It's further alleged he fled Sydney the same morning Haddad's body was found by kayakers in the Lane Cove River.
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He was later seen on CCTV arriving at Rio de Janeiro International Airport.
His trial, which began yesterday local time, was delayed for several months earlier this year after Santoro told the court he had sacked his defence team.
Australian police are giving evidence at the trial, with Detective Inspector John Edwards from the New South Wales Homicide Squad taking the stand for several hours overnight.
A second Australian investigator is also set to provide evidence over the coming days.
The case is being heard in Rio as Brazil and Australia have no extradition agreement, and if convicted and sentenced to jail, Santoro will serve no time in Australia.
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