Italy appeals court clears Silvio Berlusconi in sex trial

Posted 8 hours 18 minutes ago




An Italian appeals court has unexpectedly overturned Silvio Berlusconi's conviction on charges of abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor.

In a significant legal victory for the former prime minister, a Milan court threw out a guilty verdict on Friday handed down last year by a lower tribunal.

It had sentenced Berlusconi to seven years in jail and banned him from holding public office.

Berlusconi was accused of paying for sex with former teenage nightclub dancer Kharima El Mahroug, better known under her stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer", during "bunga bunga" erotic parties at his palatial home near Milan.

He was also charged with abusing his authority to get El Mahroug released from police custody over unrelated theft accusations.

In a brief statement read out in court, the judges fully acquitted Berlusconi on both charges.

Their ruling could be overturned if prosecutors lodge a final appeal with Italy's top court.

The decision was welcomed by the 77 year-old who was forced to serve a one-year community service sentence in an old people's home after a conviction for tax fraud last year.

"I am deeply moved," Berlusconi said in a statement after the ruling.

"Only those who have been close to me over the years know what I have suffered because of this unfair and disgraceful accusation."

His lawyer Franco Coppi said the verdict "goes beyond our rosiest expectations."

The four-times prime minister had always denied the charges, accusing the Milan magistrates of hounding him for political reasons.

Don't you just love the Italian political & justice system.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 19^th, 2014 at 10:55am:

Don't you just love the Italian political & justice system.

I obviously misunderstand the word system

:D

Oh, there's a system alright. It's a multi-layered mystery that has links back to the dark ages.

Haha awesome, I love this guy. 

You can't keep the top dog down for long.