Berlusconi in sights of prosecutors
Source: Agencies |
February 10, 2011, Thursday
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Italian prosecutors demanded yesterday that Premier Silvio Berlusconi be put on immediate trial over accusations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl and used his influence to try to cover it up. The Italian leader blasted the "disgusting" action, saying it aimed to topple his government.
The prosecutors, who filed their request in Milan, are seeking a trial now because they believe there is overwhelming evidence against the 74-year-old leader.
A judge must decide whether to accept the prosecutors' request and indict Berlusconi, or dismiss it. The decision is expected to be made in the next two weeks.
Berlusconi has a long history of fierce battles with the Italian judiciary, which he accuses of being politically motivated against him. But this is the first judicial action that targets his private life and not his business dealings as a media mogul, raising new questions over how long he can hold on to power.
The case centers on his relationship with the Moroccan nightclub dancer nicknamed Ruby. Italian newspapers have been filled for weeks with salacious details about Berlusconi's parties at his villas, based on wiretaps of conversations between women who attended them.
"It's shameful, really," Berlusconi told reporters yesterday in Rome, criticizing the prosecutors' move. "It's shameful and disgusting."
"I wonder who's going to pay for these activities that, in my humble view, only have a subversive aim," Berlusconi added, lamenting that the case had "offended the dignity of the country."
The prosecutors allege that Berlusconi paid for sex with Ruby, who has since turned 18, then used his influence to get her out of police custody when she was detained for the suspected theft of 3,000 euros (US$4,103), allegedly fearing her relationship to him would be revealed. Ruby ultimately was released into the custody of a Berlusconi aide who also is under investigation.
Paying for sex with a prostitute is not a crime in Italy, but it is if the prostitute is younger than 18.
The child prostitution charge carries a possible prison sentence of six months to three years; the abuse of influence charge, which experts say is more dangerous for Berlusconi, carries a possible sentence of four to 12 years. Both Ruby and Berlusconi have denied a sexual relation.
The premier's supporters say he made the call to avoid a diplomatic incident because Berlusconi believed at the time that the girl was the niece of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. His defense maintains the case should be handled by a special tribunal set up to deal with alleged offenses by public officials.
"I have intervened as prime minister because I was worried that there could be an international diplomatic incident," Berlusconi said yesterday.
Prosecutors say they don't believe the alleged crime was committed in the exercise of Berlusconi's institutional duties.
"This is not an act that can be ascribed to his office," said Prosecutor Edmondo Bruti Liberati. He noted Berlusconi as premier does not have control of police forces, but in calling police he abused his influence.
The prosecutors have transferred a 782-page document to the office of the judge who has to make the decision, including wiretaps of conversations among participants at Berlusconi's parties.
Although allegations of Berlusconi's sexual escapades have been raging for more than a year, opposition politicians have been unable to capitalize on them as Berlusconi holds a narrow majority in parliament.
Berlusconi's legal worries also include several cases pertaining to his business dealings that are set to resume in the coming weeks, after Italy's Constitutional Court weakened a law that had shielded the premier from prosecution.
The prosecutors, who filed their request in Milan, are seeking a trial now because they believe there is overwhelming evidence against the 74-year-old leader.
A judge must decide whether to accept the prosecutors' request and indict Berlusconi, or dismiss it. The decision is expected to be made in the next two weeks.
Berlusconi has a long history of fierce battles with the Italian judiciary, which he accuses of being politically motivated against him. But this is the first judicial action that targets his private life and not his business dealings as a media mogul, raising new questions over how long he can hold on to power.
The case centers on his relationship with the Moroccan nightclub dancer nicknamed Ruby. Italian newspapers have been filled for weeks with salacious details about Berlusconi's parties at his villas, based on wiretaps of conversations between women who attended them.
"It's shameful, really," Berlusconi told reporters yesterday in Rome, criticizing the prosecutors' move. "It's shameful and disgusting."
"I wonder who's going to pay for these activities that, in my humble view, only have a subversive aim," Berlusconi added, lamenting that the case had "offended the dignity of the country."
The prosecutors allege that Berlusconi paid for sex with Ruby, who has since turned 18, then used his influence to get her out of police custody when she was detained for the suspected theft of 3,000 euros (US$4,103), allegedly fearing her relationship to him would be revealed. Ruby ultimately was released into the custody of a Berlusconi aide who also is under investigation.
Paying for sex with a prostitute is not a crime in Italy, but it is if the prostitute is younger than 18.
The child prostitution charge carries a possible prison sentence of six months to three years; the abuse of influence charge, which experts say is more dangerous for Berlusconi, carries a possible sentence of four to 12 years. Both Ruby and Berlusconi have denied a sexual relation.
The premier's supporters say he made the call to avoid a diplomatic incident because Berlusconi believed at the time that the girl was the niece of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. His defense maintains the case should be handled by a special tribunal set up to deal with alleged offenses by public officials.
"I have intervened as prime minister because I was worried that there could be an international diplomatic incident," Berlusconi said yesterday.
Prosecutors say they don't believe the alleged crime was committed in the exercise of Berlusconi's institutional duties.
"This is not an act that can be ascribed to his office," said Prosecutor Edmondo Bruti Liberati. He noted Berlusconi as premier does not have control of police forces, but in calling police he abused his influence.
The prosecutors have transferred a 782-page document to the office of the judge who has to make the decision, including wiretaps of conversations among participants at Berlusconi's parties.
Although allegations of Berlusconi's sexual escapades have been raging for more than a year, opposition politicians have been unable to capitalize on them as Berlusconi holds a narrow majority in parliament.
Berlusconi's legal worries also include several cases pertaining to his business dealings that are set to resume in the coming weeks, after Italy's Constitutional Court weakened a law that had shielded the premier from prosecution.
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