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Berlusconi trial sought over bunga bunga bribes

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Berlusconi trial sought over bunga bunga bribes
Berlusconi pictured earlier this month. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Prosecutors in Milan on Thursday asked for Silvio Berlusconi to be sent for trial for allegedly buying the silence of witnesses to his notorious 'bunga bunga' sex parties.

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A judge is expected to rule in January on whether the 80-year-old tycoon and former prime minister should join 23 others in court on various charges of perverting the course of justice in relation to the case.

Prosecutors suspect Berlusconi bought the silence of young women who attended his parties and others now facing trial by showering them with millions of euros worth of gifts in the form of cash, jewellery, holidays and even properties.

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The charges arose from Berlusconi's trial for paying for sex with an exotic dancer known as Ruby the Heart-Stealer when she was under 18. He was initially convicted but acquitted on appeal, the judge saying he could not have known she was a minor.

Proceedings against Berlusconi are lagging behind those for the rest of the accused because of his need for medical treatment following open-heart surgery in June.

The billionaire businessman has beaten numerous criminal charges over the years with his only conviction to date being one for corporate tax fraud, which led to him being kicked out of parliament.

Even if convicted there is little chance of him ending up behind bars because of Italy's restrictions on penal sanctions against the elderly.

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Donald Trump and Silvio Berlusconi have much in common: Photos: Ethan Miller/AFP (L) and Tiziana Fabi/AFP (R)

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