In 1995, the Nigerian government executed the Ogoni Nine – environmental activists who were trying to fight Shell’s exploitation of their homeland. Now, four widows are taking the oil company to court. And: Dan Sabbagh on the ramifications of Trump’s shock decision to withdraw from the Turkish-Syrian border

Earlier this year, a Dutch court ruled it had jurisdiction to determine whether Royal Dutch Shell was complicit in the Nigerian government’s 1995 execution of the Ogoni Nine – environmental protesters who fought against widespread pollution in the Niger Delta. This week, Shell’s alleged role in the killings is finally being examined by a court in The Hague.

The Guardian reporter Kate Hodal talks to Rachel Humphreys about the original trial, which was widely discredited as a sham, and the alleged collusion between Shell and the Nigerian government. Humphreys also talks to Esther Kiobel, whose husband, Dr Barinem Kiobel, was among the nine executed, and who has been fighting for justice ever since. Channa Samkalden, the lead lawyer on the case, explains the implications it might have for Shell.

Shell have said: “The tragic events of 1995 shocked us deeply, but we have always denied, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations made in this case. We believe the evidence clearly shows that Shell was not responsible for these distressing events and we are pleased that, having reviewed the extensive evidence presented, the court did not find any basis for the majority of claims against us. There is similarly no basis for the allegations that are being heard today.

While not involved in the Ogoni Tribunal, The Shell Group, alongside other organisations and individuals, did appeal for clemency to the military government in power in Nigeria at that time. To our deep regret those appeals went unheard.”

And: Guardian defence editor Dan Sabbagh on the ramifications of Trump’s shock decision to withdraw from the Turkish-Syrian border.