**Spain’s most high-profile judge, Baltasar Garzon, is reportedly to stand trial for overreaching his powers over an inquiry into the Franco regime.**Mr Garzon launched the investigation into atrocities committed during the four-decade rule of General Francisco Franco in October 2008.
But it was shelved amid opposition from prosecutors and other judges.
Mr Garzon is famous for targeting international figures including Augusto Pinochet and Osama Bin Laden.
The case against the judge originates from a complaint by a right-wing group, Manos Limpias (Clean Hands).
It claimed Mr Garzon had knowingly exceeded his official remit in launching an investigation into tens of thousands of disappearances during Spain’s 1936-1939 civil war and under the Franco regime that followed.
In February, Supreme Court investigating magistrate Luciano Varela ruled that Mr Garzon had ignored a 1977 amnesty that covers crimes committed during the Spanish civil war.
Mr Garzon appealed against the ruling, but a judge was expected to announce later on Wednesday that his trial would go ahead.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.