This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/former-italian-prime-minister-silvio-berlusconi-cleared-of-underage-prostitution-charges-9615289.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi cleared of underage prostitution charges | Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi cleared of underage prostitution charges |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted in an underage prostitution case. | The former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted in an underage prostitution case. |
| The decision by judges at a Milanese court reversed the seven-year prison sentence handed to him when he was convicted last year. | The decision by judges at a Milanese court reversed the seven-year prison sentence handed to him when he was convicted last year. |
| At the time, the 77-year-old was found guilty of paying for sex with Karima el-Mahroug – a then 17-year-old prostitute better known as “Ruby the Heart stealer” – and using his political influence to conceal the alleged crime. | At the time, the 77-year-old was found guilty of paying for sex with Karima el-Mahroug – a then 17-year-old prostitute better known as “Ruby the Heart stealer” – and using his political influence to conceal the alleged crime. |
| During the case there were reports of raunchy "bunga-bunga" parties held at Mr Berlusconi's private villa, and attended by aspiring showgirls. According to some of the guests these were “elegant dinner parties”. | |
| Both he and el-Mahroug denied having sex at Mr Berlusconi’s villa. | Both he and el-Mahroug denied having sex at Mr Berlusconi’s villa. |
| Franco Coppi, Mr Berlusconi's defence lawyer, said the decision went “beyond the rosiest predictions.” | Franco Coppi, Mr Berlusconi's defence lawyer, said the decision went “beyond the rosiest predictions.” |
| Karima El Mahroug, nicknamed "Ruby the Heart Stealer", pictured in 2013. (AFP) | Karima El Mahroug, nicknamed "Ruby the Heart Stealer", pictured in 2013. (AFP) |
| He added that he would have been satisfied with an acquittal for lack of evidence. But the court ruled on Friday that no crimes had been committed. | He added that he would have been satisfied with an acquittal for lack of evidence. But the court ruled on Friday that no crimes had been committed. |
| The acquittal was announced as Mr Berlusconi left a facility for Alzheimer's patients, where he has been performing community service for a separate conviction on a tax fraud charge since May. That case is currently the only one finalised against Mr Berlusconi, who has faced dozens of trials, mostly for his business dealings. | The acquittal was announced as Mr Berlusconi left a facility for Alzheimer's patients, where he has been performing community service for a separate conviction on a tax fraud charge since May. That case is currently the only one finalised against Mr Berlusconi, who has faced dozens of trials, mostly for his business dealings. |
| Upon hearing the news, Mr Berlusconi thrust his hand from a car window as he was driven away. A political supporter waiting at the gate grabbed his hand and shook it. The window then rolled up and the media mogul waved as he was driven away. | Upon hearing the news, Mr Berlusconi thrust his hand from a car window as he was driven away. A political supporter waiting at the gate grabbed his hand and shook it. The window then rolled up and the media mogul waved as he was driven away. |
| Meanwhile on Twitter, one of Mr Berlusconi's supporters, lawmaker Renato Brunetta, hailed ''Berlusconi innocent!!!“ on Twitter – one of many political backers to laud the acquittal. | Meanwhile on Twitter, one of Mr Berlusconi's supporters, lawmaker Renato Brunetta, hailed ''Berlusconi innocent!!!“ on Twitter – one of many political backers to laud the acquittal. |
| While the court does not have to publicly explain its reason for clearing the veteran politician for another 90 days, Mr Coppi said he believes it may have been based on Mr Berlusconi's testimony that he believed el-Mahroug was over 18. | While the court does not have to publicly explain its reason for clearing the veteran politician for another 90 days, Mr Coppi said he believes it may have been based on Mr Berlusconi's testimony that he believed el-Mahroug was over 18. |
| However, the case has the potential to continue, as prosecutors can challenge Friday's acquittal in the Court of Cassation - Italy's highest criminal court. | However, the case has the potential to continue, as prosecutors can challenge Friday's acquittal in the Court of Cassation - Italy's highest criminal court. |
| In a separate trial in Naples, the billionaire media tycoon, who was in power three times in Italy, is accused of political corruption. He is also under investigation in Milan for allegedly tampering with the witnesses in the prostitution trial, and in a related case involving three aides who were convicted of procuring prostitutes for his parties. | In a separate trial in Naples, the billionaire media tycoon, who was in power three times in Italy, is accused of political corruption. He is also under investigation in Milan for allegedly tampering with the witnesses in the prostitution trial, and in a related case involving three aides who were convicted of procuring prostitutes for his parties. |
| As head of the Forza Italia party, Mr Berlusconi retains his influence on the Italian political scene, despite the tax fraud conviction's ban on holding political office for two years that led the Senate to revoke his seat. | As head of the Forza Italia party, Mr Berlusconi retains his influence on the Italian political scene, despite the tax fraud conviction's ban on holding political office for two years that led the Senate to revoke his seat. |
| Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |