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| Berlusconi probed over plane use | Berlusconi probed over plane use |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is being investigated for misuse of public funds after photos showed he had used state aircraft to fly friends to Sardinia. | Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is being investigated for misuse of public funds after photos showed he had used state aircraft to fly friends to Sardinia. |
| Mr Berlusconi confirmed on Thursday that he had been formally placed under investigation by prosecutors, but said the probe would be "swiftly shelved". | Mr Berlusconi confirmed on Thursday that he had been formally placed under investigation by prosecutors, but said the probe would be "swiftly shelved". |
| He insisted he was allowed to transport "people he needs" for security reasons. | He insisted he was allowed to transport "people he needs" for security reasons. |
| Photographs of a naked man and topless women at the villa have been published by Spanish newspaper El Pais. | |
| El Pais said the pictures were examples of the approximately 300 which were blocked from publication in Italy at the weekend, at Mr Berlusconi's request. | |
| The photographer, Antonello Zappadu, had pixelated the faces of those in featured with the exception of Mr Berlusconi, to protect their identities, it said. | |
| Other photographs reportedly include scenes of parties attended by several young women, including the 18-year-old model Noemi Letizia. | |
| These are innocent photos, there's no scandal but this is a violation of privacy and a scandalous aggression Silvio BerlusconiItalian Prime Minister | |
| Mr Berlusconi has been under pressure to explain his relationship with Ms Letizia since his wife, Veronica Lario, said last month she was divorcing him after he had attended her 18th birthday party and gave her an expensive necklace. He has denied having an affair with her. | Mr Berlusconi has been under pressure to explain his relationship with Ms Letizia since his wife, Veronica Lario, said last month she was divorcing him after he had attended her 18th birthday party and gave her an expensive necklace. He has denied having an affair with her. |
| One photograph also showed the former Czech Prime Minister, Mirek Topolanek, standing naked by the side of a pool, according to Mr Berlusconi's lawyer. El Pais did not say if the picture of the naked man it published was that of Mr Topolanek. | |
| Mr Berlusconi denounced the paparazzi on Friday for violating his privacy and "scandalous aggression", saying the photographs were entirely "innocent". | |
| When asked by Italian state-run Rai radio why there had been several naked women at his villa, he replied: "Do you take a shower dressed?" | |
| "These girls were bathing in a whirlpool bath inside a private home, and they were assaulted in a scandalous way." | |
| The 72-year-old also repeated that there had been nothing "spicy" in his relations with Ms Letizia and that he would resign "the next minute" if proved otherwise. | |
| 'Petty' | 'Petty' |
| According to reports, prosecutors in Rome also found several pictures taken at Sardinia's Olbia airport before and after the parties. | According to reports, prosecutors in Rome also found several pictures taken at Sardinia's Olbia airport before and after the parties. |
| Mr Berlusconi performed with Mariano Apicella at his villa in Sardinia in 2003 | |
| They allegedly showed Mr Berlusconi's favourite singer, Mariano Apicella, his assistant, and an unidentified woman getting off the prime minister's official plane in May last year. | They allegedly showed Mr Berlusconi's favourite singer, Mariano Apicella, his assistant, and an unidentified woman getting off the prime minister's official plane in May last year. |
| Prosecutors were forced to open an investigation into Mr Berlusconi's use of public assets after a complaint was filed by a consumer association, Codacons. | Prosecutors were forced to open an investigation into Mr Berlusconi's use of public assets after a complaint was filed by a consumer association, Codacons. |
| "It means nothing. It will be shelved very soon," Berlusconi told a Milan television station via phone on Thursday. | "It means nothing. It will be shelved very soon," Berlusconi told a Milan television station via phone on Thursday. |
| "There is a rule, passed by the prime minister's office, that allows the prime minister, when he uses state planes for reasons of security, to take with him people he feels he needs at no cost," he said. | "There is a rule, passed by the prime minister's office, that allows the prime minister, when he uses state planes for reasons of security, to take with him people he feels he needs at no cost," he said. |
| However, the newspaper La Stampa has said the regulation did not take effect until August, three months after the airport pictures. | However, the newspaper La Stampa has said the regulation did not take effect until August, three months after the airport pictures. |
| Mr Berlusconi said he had entertained several heads of state and government - including Mr Topolanek - at his villa in Sardinia, and had "offered all that I receive from them, including shows with artistes". | Mr Berlusconi said he had entertained several heads of state and government - including Mr Topolanek - at his villa in Sardinia, and had "offered all that I receive from them, including shows with artistes". |
| "But this is not a burden on the [Italian] state," he added. | "But this is not a burden on the [Italian] state," he added. |
| The prime minister called the accusations "petty" and suggested they had been timed to coincide with this week's European Parliament elections. Italians are set to vote on Saturday and Sunday. | The prime minister called the accusations "petty" and suggested they had been timed to coincide with this week's European Parliament elections. Italians are set to vote on Saturday and Sunday. |