Soldier F faces charges of two murders and five attempted murders related to the events on January 30, 1972, in Derry's Bogside area, where unarmed civilians were shot.

The case has been delayed for years due to evidentiary issues and legal challenges, with prosecutors taking seven years to decide to charge Soldier F.

The prosecution argues that the shooting was unnecessary and carried out with intent to kill, describing the soldiers' behavior as disgraceful and indicative of loss of control.

The trial of Soldier F, a former British paratrooper involved in Bloody Sunday, has begun at Belfast Crown Court, marking a significant step in seeking justice for the 1972 killings.

Families of the victims, supported by community members, have long sought justice, emphasizing their pursuit after 53 years of struggle for accountability.

The trial also involves complex legal issues, including questions about evidence admissibility and the credibility of testimonies, with Soldier F protected for security reasons and pleading not guilty.

The Bloody Sunday incident, which resulted in 13 civilian deaths, has deeply influenced public opinion and culture, inspiring songs like U2's 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and fueling support for the IRA among young Catholics.

The event has sparked ongoing debates, with victims' families demanding justice and critics arguing that the broader cover-up and delays implicate the British state and military leadership.

Initial government claims suggested soldiers fired in self-defense, but subsequent reviews, including the 2010 Saville Report, concluded they shot unarmed civilians and lied about it, leading to a formal apology from Prime Minister David Cameron.

Soldier F's trial is a rare prosecution of soldiers involved in The Troubles, with previous charges dropped and only recent convictions, such as one in 2023 for a 1988 shooting.

The case's legal complexity includes issues with evidence and testimony credibility, and the ongoing debate over the fairness of the legacy process for veterans.

For security reasons, Soldier F has pleaded not guilty behind a curtain and will be protected throughout the trial.

Protests are expected outside the court, with victims' families and supporters demanding justice after more than five decades since Bloody Sunday.