France's richest man, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, testified Thursday in the influence-peddling trial of the former head of France's domestic intelligence agency, denying any knowledge of an alleged scheme to protect the luxury group.

LVMH boss Bernard Arnault said he did not know about allegedly illegal surveillance ordered by a trusted associate almost a decade ago, as he testified in at times fiery exchanges with lawyers in the trial of a former French spy chief.

LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault is set to testify at a Paris court on Thursday in the trial of France's former spy chief Bernard Squarcini, a case that has cast light on the lengths to which the world's biggest luxury group has allegedly gone to protect its image.