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Italian court upholds Berlusconi tax fraud sentence

Agence France-PresseMay 10, 2013 15:35
An Italian court on Wednesday upheld a tax fraud conviction for former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, confirming his sentence of one year in prison and a five-year ban from public office. "The court confirms the sentence against Silvio Berlusconi," judge Alessandra Galli said in the Milan courtroom, according to a live audio feed broadcast by news channel Sky TG 24. Berlusconi is now expected to appeal the ruling in Italy's highest court, which would suspend the punishment pending a final ruling in the case which revolves around his Mediaset business empire.

Verdict due in Berlusconi tax fraud appeal

Agence France-PresseMay 8, 2013 14:17
Silvio Berlusconi's appeal trial against a tax fraud conviction is due to conclude with a verdict later on Wednesday in the latest in a 20-year legal saga for the former prime minister. A Milan court said it would issue its ruling "after 1500 GMT", without giving further details. Berlusconi is appealing a one-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from holding public office, both of which have been suspended pending an appeal. They will not be implemented immediately even if the conviction is upheld, as the case will go to Italy's top court for a second appeal.

Italy's high court says Berlusconi trials to stay in Milan

May 7, 2013 11:12
ROME (Reuters) - Italy's top appeals court on Monday rejected a request by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to move two trials he faces out of Milan where, he has maintained, he cannot get a fair trial. Berlusconi's lawyers argued that prosecutors and judges at the Milan court have "persecuted" the center-right leader for his conservative politics. The 76-year-old media magnate is not a member of the current government, but his party is one of the main supporters of Enrico Letta's broad right-left coalition.

Italy court rules against moving Berlusconi sex trial

Agence France-PresseMay 6, 2013 08:00
Italy's supreme court on Monday turned down an appeal by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's defence team to move sex and fraud trials against the media magnate from Milan to another city, Italian media reported. The decision opens the way for the scandal-tainted tycoon's fraud appeal trial to resume on Wednesday and for his trial for having sex with an underage prostitute to continue next Monday.

Suspicious letter sent to Italy's Silvio Berlusconi

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 15:15
A letter thought to contain bullets and suspicious powder addressed to former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was intercepted by the post office, Italian media said on Thursday. The alarm was sounded after objects which appeared to be bullets showed up on an x-ray of a letter addressed to the media magnate at his Arcore villa near Milan, and police and a decontamination unit were called to the scene. It was not clear whether there was a note inside the envelope, the reports said.

Italy court to rule in May on Berlusconi trial venue change

Agence France-PresseApril 18, 2013 06:31
Italy's top court postponed Thursday its decision on whether to uphold an appeal by Silvio Berlusconi's defence team to move two trials involving the former premier to another city. The Supreme Court accepted a request from the defence to postpone the Thursday hearing because the billionaire's lawyers -- who are members of parliament -- were tied up in a vote to elect the country's next president. The hearing was set for May 6.

Berlusconi calls for 'stable' government or new elections

April 13, 2013 15:01
Italy's Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday called for either a strong new government or a fresh round of votes, while centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani rapped his political rivals for grandstanding during a deadlock that followed inconclusive elections. Bersani's coalition got the most votes in the February 24-25 ballot but failed to get enough for an overall majority in parliament, with Berlusconi's grouping coming in a very close second.

Italy's Berlusconi says he would be the PM candidate if new vote held

April 13, 2013 14:15
By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italy's four-time Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Saturday he would stand to lead the country for a fifth time if a snap vote is called after centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani again rejected forming a government with his rival. The February election left parliament split between three hostile blocs, none of which can govern alone, making an early return to the polls a growing possibility.

Berlusconi would win repeat elections in Italy

April 12, 2013 08:30
Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition would win if the current deadlock forces new elections in Italy, but would fail to get enough votes for an overall majority in parliament, polls showed on Friday. A poll by the SWG Institute gave Berlusconi's coalition 32.4 percent of the vote, compared to Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left forces at 30.0 percent. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement would get 24.0 percent.

Berlusconi says could support leftist president

April 12, 2013 03:00
Italy's Silvio Berlusconi on Friday said he could consider supporting a candidate for president from his rivals on the left but only on condition that they form a grand coalition government with him. "We are certainly ready to discuss it," the scandal-tainted former prime minister, who leads a centre-right coalition that came a close second in February elections, told La Repubblica daily. "If we agree a path to the presidency, then on the other side we need a grand coalition, with ministers chosen together. Otherwise, no deal," the 76-year-old billionaire tycoon said.
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