Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Italian former premier Silvio Berlusconi Luca Bruno/AP/Press Association Images

Verdict near in 'bunga bunga' Berlusconi sex trial

The hearing is one of the last in a trial that began two years ago and revolves around alleged raunchy ‘bunga bunga’ parties’.

ITALIAN PROSECUTORS PRESENT their final arguments today at the close of Silvio Berlusconi’s trial for having sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of office in a legal storm that is shaking the government.

The hearing is one of the last in a trial that began two years ago and relates to alleged crimes in 2010 when Berlusconi was still prime minister and revolves around alleged raunchy “bunga bunga” parties at his luxury residence outside Milan.

Prosecutor Ilda Boccassini said in a live feed from the courtroom broadcast by news channel Sky TG 2:

The women invited to the then prime minister’s private residence were part of a prostitution system set up for the personal sexual satisfaction of the defendant Silvio Berlusconi.

Prosecutors are expected to request a sentence of at least five years in prison for the flamboyant billionaire tycoon, who was not present for the hearing, Italian media reported.

A verdict could come later this month.

Accusations

Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex on several occasions with Moroccan-born Karima El-Mahroug, a then 17-year-old exotic dancer nicknamed as “Ruby the Heart Stealer”.

Boccassini said El-Mahroug, a teenage runaway who was initially spotted by a Berlusconi associate at a beauty contest in Sicily when she was 16, had become the prime minister’s “favourite”.

It is also alleged that Berlusconi called a police station to pressure for her release from custody when she was arrested for petty theft. According to prosecutors, he did so because he was fearful she could reveal their liaison.

Berlusconi, 76, denies all charges and says the trial is only the latest example of “judicial persecution” by left-wing prosecutors in Milan.

The legal woes are straining relations within Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s grand coalition government in which Berlusconi’s People of Freedom party is a crucial coalition partner.

Moderate leftist Letta reacted angrily over the weekend when Deputy Prime Minister Angelino Alfano attended a rally against the judiciary in which Berlusconi also took part on Saturday.

Berlusconi has been under investigation or on trial since entering politics in the 1990s after a successful career in construction and media.

Berlusconi says the gatherings at his home were elegant dinner parties followed by “burlesque contests” in a discotheque in the basement.

Prosecutors and some of the attendees say the gatherings were hardcore strip shows and were followed by sex for money with some of the girls.

They referred to the parties as “bunga bunga”.

El-Mahroug has repeatedly denied sleeping with Berlusconi and complains she was not asked to testify by either the prosecution or the defence.

But she boasted of their liaison to friends and telephone intercepts leaked in Italian media appear to show she had wanted a pay-off from him.

Three of Berlusconi’s friends – a showbusiness agent, a former network anchor and a former regional assemblywoman – are on trial on pimping charges in a separate trial linked to the case.

- © AFP, 2013

Read: Thousands attend rally for Berlusconi – despite his conviction for tax fraud>

Author
View 14 comments
Close
14 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dj
    Favourite Dj
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 9:54 PM

    Nothing says I love you more than a McFuneral.

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andi Black
    Favourite Andi Black
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 10:23 PM

    When someone dies, there are always people around, at the wake, funeral and burial, the believers, the non believers, the atheists, the humanists. ……….How many of you will visit the bereaved family months after their bereavement?
    This is the time they need your help and support.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kennedy
    Favourite John Kennedy
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:31 PM

    @Andi Black: bull shit
    The reason we are born is to die
    It’s about time people excepted death and stop being so mournful about it .

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Slim Browne
    Favourite Slim Browne
    Report
    Sep 14th 2017, 8:22 AM

    @John Kennedy: dont be insensitive John, the death of a loved one is an emotional shock for those left behind, its natural to mourn, those who dont usually dont do well and they eventually break down, we’re all aware that its an inevitable journey feared by many welcomed by few sso the taut that ur leaving ur loved ones behind is hard, speaking for myself, well, ill hang about as long as I can.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan
    Favourite Ryan
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:03 PM

    I doubt the dead really care how they’re dispatched to be honest. Once they’re finished harvesting my organs they can turn what’s left over into shepard’s pie if they like…

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron North
    Favourite Ron North
    Report
    Sep 14th 2017, 12:14 AM

    @Ryan: I’m not saying you wouldn’t be delicious and chock full of goodness Ryan, but wouldn’t you be Cottage Pie?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Cairns
    Favourite Sam Cairns
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:57 PM

    “You have reached your destination” will scare the daylights out of a few infirm mourners.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Polly Dolan
    Favourite Polly Dolan
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 9:54 PM

    For mourners who do not want to come to a dead stop!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Culligan
    Favourite Paul Culligan
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:07 PM

    Ya want ‘Fry’s’ with that?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stan
    Favourite Stan
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 9:52 PM

    Anyone see Stacey Dooley Japan doc last night? Japan is seriously f##ked up with what she exposed

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TravellingTheWorld
    Favourite TravellingTheWorld
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 10:16 PM

    @Stan: The irony of the BBC caring about young people being at risk!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stan
    Favourite Stan
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:10 PM

    @TravellingTheWorld: Acting like they didn’t know or help Jimmy among many other presenters.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Newberry
    Favourite Sean Newberry
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:16 PM

    What?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O Reilly
    Favourite Brian O Reilly
    Report
    Sep 13th 2017, 11:08 PM

    Ashes to Ashes dust to ,let’s burn the F ****r and get back on the bus.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan
    Favourite Ryan
    Report
    Sep 17th 2017, 1:40 AM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan
    Favourite Ryan
    Report
    Sep 17th 2017, 1:34 AM

    [url=http://www.google.com]www.thejournal.ie[/url]

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds