PA MediaPeter Murrell arrived at court ahead of the hearingFormer SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is expected to appear in court accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a period of more than 12 years.He arrived at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday morning for a preliminary hearing in the case.Murrell, the estranged husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, is accused of embezzling the funds between August 2010 and January 2023.He is accused of illicitly purchasing items including luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome.Details of the charges he faced became public in February after details of the indictment were first reported by the Scottish Sun newspaper.BBC News saw a copy of that indictment, which contained allegations that Murrell had embezzled £459,000 from the SNP between August 2010 and January 2023.Murrell held the position of SNP chief executive for 22 years.Top law officer told Swinney of Murrell charge nearly a year agoPeter Murrell accused of embezzling £459,000 over 12-year periodPeter Murrell granted legal aid over embezzlement chargeSNP (Scottish National Party)Scotland