Berlusconi's lawyers seek delay in trial
Source: Agencies |
March 12, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SILVIO Berlusconi's judicial woes weighed on Italy's political future yesterday as prosecutors in Naples requested an accelerated trial of the former premier on corruption charges, and Milan judges in his sex-for-hire trial ordered a medical visit to certify his ailments.
The judicial jockeying comes at a politically sensitive time for Italy, as it seeks to form a stable government following inconclusive national elections on February 24-25.
Democratic Party leader Pier Bersani, whose forces finished first in the lower house vote, has ruled out an alliance with Berlusconi's center-right coalition, which finished second.
But Bersani's options are limited as comic-turned-political leader Beppe Grillo, whose movement finished third, refuses to align with any major party. Talks will begin on March 20, after Parliament convenes this Friday and votes in leaders of both houses.
Berlusconi has been seeking to have the two trials postponed due to an eye condition for which he has been hospitalized since last Friday. Judges in Berlusconi's tax fraud appeal continued with last Saturday's hearing after court-appointed doctors said his ailments were not severe enough.
Another court ordered a new medical visit to verify the severity of his ailments after Berlusconi's lawyers submitted three medical certificates, citing the eye inflammation and a heart problem to support a new delay request. Prosecutor Ilda Boccassini had been scheduled to wrap up her closing arguments.
The judicial jockeying comes at a politically sensitive time for Italy, as it seeks to form a stable government following inconclusive national elections on February 24-25.
Democratic Party leader Pier Bersani, whose forces finished first in the lower house vote, has ruled out an alliance with Berlusconi's center-right coalition, which finished second.
But Bersani's options are limited as comic-turned-political leader Beppe Grillo, whose movement finished third, refuses to align with any major party. Talks will begin on March 20, after Parliament convenes this Friday and votes in leaders of both houses.
Berlusconi has been seeking to have the two trials postponed due to an eye condition for which he has been hospitalized since last Friday. Judges in Berlusconi's tax fraud appeal continued with last Saturday's hearing after court-appointed doctors said his ailments were not severe enough.
Another court ordered a new medical visit to verify the severity of his ailments after Berlusconi's lawyers submitted three medical certificates, citing the eye inflammation and a heart problem to support a new delay request. Prosecutor Ilda Boccassini had been scheduled to wrap up her closing arguments.
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