Updated, 18:13
SO – AFTER THREE terms as the country’s prime minister, 18 years as an MP, and decades as one of Italy’s most powerful men, Silvio Berlusconi must now appeal a criminal conviction if he is to avoid turning 80 behind bars.
The 76-year-old was this afternoon sentenced to four years one year in prison for his role in a tax scheme at his Mediaset empire, which was found to have set up offshore companies to dodge tax when they bought the rights to air US movies on their TV channels.
The conviction is not the first time he’s been brought to court – but the controversial premier and AC Milan president has only managed to escape previous charges because of the statute of limitations, and because of a now-defunct law which granted immunity to public office holders.
So – to mark Berlusconi’s downfall, here are 55 pictures of Sad Silvio.
All photos from the Press Association archives.
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