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| Italian ex-PM Berlusconi sentenced in Ruby sex case | Italian ex-PM Berlusconi sentenced in Ruby sex case |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Italy's former PM Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to seven years in jail and banned from public office for having sex with an underage prostitute. | Italy's former PM Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to seven years in jail and banned from public office for having sex with an underage prostitute. |
| But Mr Berlusconi remains a free man while he appeals against the Milan court ruling. | But Mr Berlusconi remains a free man while he appeals against the Milan court ruling. |
| Both the 76-year-old media tycoon and the Moroccan woman concerned, Karima El Mahroug, deny they had sex. | Both the 76-year-old media tycoon and the Moroccan woman concerned, Karima El Mahroug, deny they had sex. |
| "I intend to resist this persecution because I am absolutely innocent," Mr Berlusconi said after the verdict. | "I intend to resist this persecution because I am absolutely innocent," Mr Berlusconi said after the verdict. |
| He is already embroiled in several other court cases. In October 2012 he was given a four-year sentence for tax fraud, which is also under appeal. | He is already embroiled in several other court cases. In October 2012 he was given a four-year sentence for tax fraud, which is also under appeal. |
| 'Bunga-Bunga' parties | 'Bunga-Bunga' parties |
| This latest verdict ends a two-year trial which has frequently made the headlines, with its allegations of topless women and erotic party games. | This latest verdict ends a two-year trial which has frequently made the headlines, with its allegations of topless women and erotic party games. |
| Mr Berlusconi was convicted of paying for sex with Ms El Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer", in 2010, even though she was 17 at the time. | Mr Berlusconi was convicted of paying for sex with Ms El Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer", in 2010, even though she was 17 at the time. |
| He was also found guilty of abusing the powers of his office, by arranging to have Ms El Mahroug released from police custody when she was detained in a separate petty theft case. | He was also found guilty of abusing the powers of his office, by arranging to have Ms El Mahroug released from police custody when she was detained in a separate petty theft case. |
| Ms El Mahroug was one of a group of women invited to Mr Berlusconi's private residence for so-called "bunga-bunga" party evenings. | Ms El Mahroug was one of a group of women invited to Mr Berlusconi's private residence for so-called "bunga-bunga" party evenings. |
| Mr Berlusconi insists the alleged sex parties were actually dinners where female guests performed "burlesque" dancing. | Mr Berlusconi insists the alleged sex parties were actually dinners where female guests performed "burlesque" dancing. |
| The prosecution said the women were part of a prostitution system set up for his personal sexual satisfaction. | The prosecution said the women were part of a prostitution system set up for his personal sexual satisfaction. |
| Although frequenting prostitutes is not a crime in Italy, having sex with one who is under the age of 18 is an offence punishable by a prison sentence. | Although frequenting prostitutes is not a crime in Italy, having sex with one who is under the age of 18 is an offence punishable by a prison sentence. |
| 'Beyond reality' | 'Beyond reality' |
| The sentence imposed by the Milan court is one more year than the six-year term demanded by the prosecution. | The sentence imposed by the Milan court is one more year than the six-year term demanded by the prosecution. |
| As soon as he heard the verdict, Mr Berlusconi's lawyer Niccolo Ghedini announced an appeal. | As soon as he heard the verdict, Mr Berlusconi's lawyer Niccolo Ghedini announced an appeal. |
| "This is beyond reality," Mr Ghedini told reporters outside the court. "The judges even went beyond the prosecutors' request." | "This is beyond reality," Mr Ghedini told reporters outside the court. "The judges even went beyond the prosecutors' request." |
| But Mr Berlusconi will not have to spend any time in jail unless the lengthy appeals process is exhausted. | But Mr Berlusconi will not have to spend any time in jail unless the lengthy appeals process is exhausted. |
| Even then he may escape prison because of lenient sentencing rules for people over the age of 70. | Even then he may escape prison because of lenient sentencing rules for people over the age of 70. |
| The judgement could have major political repercussions for Italy, analysts say. | The judgement could have major political repercussions for Italy, analysts say. |
| The guilty ruling could weaken current Prime Minister Enrico Letta's coalition government, which depends on the support of Mr Berlusconi's centre-right party, People of Freedom (PdL). | The guilty ruling could weaken current Prime Minister Enrico Letta's coalition government, which depends on the support of Mr Berlusconi's centre-right party, People of Freedom (PdL). |
| Despite Mr Berlusconi's statements of loyalty to Mr Letta, many analysts believe he could withdraw his support if he decides the government is not giving him enough protection. | Despite Mr Berlusconi's statements of loyalty to Mr Letta, many analysts believe he could withdraw his support if he decides the government is not giving him enough protection. |