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Berlusconi sex trial to go ahead next month
[ABC.NET.AU] Italia's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi...former Italian prime minister, known for his plain (for a European politician) speaking and his liking for hookers a third his age or less... has lost a bid to adjourn his trial for underage sex until after upcoming elections. Berlusconi wanted the trial pushed back until after next month's election, in which he is running for office. The billionaire tycoon is charged with paying for sex with Karima El-Mahroug in 2010 at his mansion near Milan, when she was just 17 and he was the prime minister. They both deny ever having sex. Berlusconi's lawyer told the court he will be too busy campaigning to follow the case or attend court, and that he fears his trial could influence the election. But the court has ruled the trial must go ahead. Moroccan-born Ms El-Mahroug, who used the working name "Ruby the Heart Stealer", arrived at the trial overnight to testify. But Berlusconi's lawyers now say they will not be calling her as a witness. Judges said her written testimony, where she described wild "Bunga Bunga" parties hosted by Berlusconi, will still be considered in the case. Posted by: Fred 2013-01-15 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=360084 |