This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28369408
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Silvio Berlusconi sex conviction overturned | Silvio Berlusconi sex conviction overturned |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Italian former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has won an appeal against his conviction for paying for sex with an underage prostitute. | Italian former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has won an appeal against his conviction for paying for sex with an underage prostitute. |
| His seven-year prison sentence has now been thrown out by judges in Milan, in the so-called "Ruby" case. | His seven-year prison sentence has now been thrown out by judges in Milan, in the so-called "Ruby" case. |
| Last year a court found that he had paid for sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer, Karima El-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heartstealer". | Last year a court found that he had paid for sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer, Karima El-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heartstealer". |
| Berlusconi is doing community service after being sentenced for tax fraud. | Berlusconi is doing community service after being sentenced for tax fraud. |
| That was a separate case involving his business empire Mediaset. Berlusconi, 77, helps out once a week at a home for people with Alzheimer's disease. | That was a separate case involving his business empire Mediaset. Berlusconi, 77, helps out once a week at a home for people with Alzheimer's disease. |
| He began doing that service in May - and so far it is the only final judgment against him, despite various other court cases. | He began doing that service in May - and so far it is the only final judgment against him, despite various other court cases. |
| 'Bunga-bunga' reports | 'Bunga-bunga' reports |
| In the Ruby case both Berlusconi and Ms El-Mahroug denied having had sex. | In the Ruby case both Berlusconi and Ms El-Mahroug denied having had sex. |
| During the trial reports emerged of raunchy "bunga-bunga" parties at his private villa attended by showgirls. Some of the female guests however described them as "elegant dinner parties". | During the trial reports emerged of raunchy "bunga-bunga" parties at his private villa attended by showgirls. Some of the female guests however described them as "elegant dinner parties". |
| Berlusconi, a billionaire tycoon and veteran politician, was also acquitted of a charge that he abused his prime ministerial powers by pressuring the police to free Ms El-Mahroug when she was in custody. | |
| In another separate case he is accused of having bribed a senator. | In another separate case he is accused of having bribed a senator. |
| As a result of the conviction over Mediaset he was banned from holding political office for two years and expelled from the Senate. | As a result of the conviction over Mediaset he was banned from holding political office for two years and expelled from the Senate. |
| Reacting to Friday's verdict in Milan, Berlusconi's lawyer said it "goes beyond our rosiest expectations". | |
| Political repercussions | |
| Berlusconi was in power three times as prime minister, dominating Italian politics. He still heads the right-wing Forza Italia party. | |
| The acquittal may enable him to remain a strong influence in politics and may also help centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, observers say, as Forza Italia may be less inclined to block the government's reforms. | |
| "This ruling will bring people together. We will be calmer working in future and be more united between ourselves and with all of the centre-right," said Lucio Malan, a Forza Italia senator, quoted by AFP news agency. | |
| Prosecutors can still challenge the acquittal at the highest criminal court, the Court of Cassation, the Associated Press reports. |