COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Danish inventor Peter Madsen stands accused of tying up and torturing Swedish reporter Kim Wall before he either cut her throat or strangled her during a trip on his private submarine in August.

Madsen, 47, whose trial starts Thursday in Copenhagen, is charged with murder, dismemberment and indecent handling of a corpse for the way he disposed of Wall's body.

Madsen has denied murder. His defense lawyer, Betina Hald Engmark, told TV2 Thursday that he maintains she died accidentally inside the submarine. He has admitted throwing her body parts into the sea.

The prosecution claims Wall's murder was premeditated because Madsen brought along tools he normally didn't take when sailing.

The trial at Copenhagen's City Court ends April. 25.