A judge in Italy ruled that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi must immediately stand trial to face charges relating to the ‘Rubygate’ sex scandal.
Berlusconi, 74-year-old business tycoon turned politician, is accused of having paid sex with Karima El Mahroug, known as “Ruby,” a Moroccan nightclub dancer while she was 17 and underage. Berlusconi will also face charges of abuse of power for calling police when Ruby was picked up on theft charges in on unrelated occasion. The PM dismisses the sex charges as “groundless,” but admits he called police on the other occasion.
Judge Cristina Di Censo told reporters on Tuesday that the proceedings will begin on April 6.
If found guilty, the prime minster who is now serving his third term in office, could be ordered to serve up to 15 years in prison.
Berlusconi said he made the call as a favor for now deposed Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, because the Italian leader was told the girl was Mubarak’s granddaughter, according to BBC.
In Italy, prostitution is not itself illegal, but sex with someone under 18 is.
Last Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Italian women across the country and overseas took to the streets in protest of the behavior of their prime minster.
Berlusconi was first elected to Parliament at the same time he became prime minister in a snap election in 1994.
Berlusconi is also currently facing charges of bribery and corruption. Over the last 20 years, the BBC calculates that he has made approximately 2,500 court appearances in 106 trials related to a variety of charges including bribery, tax evasion, Mafia collusion, and money laundering. His various business interests include media companies, advertising, insurance, construction, and a professonal soccer club.
Berlusconi, 74-year-old business tycoon turned politician, is accused of having paid sex with Karima El Mahroug, known as “Ruby,” a Moroccan nightclub dancer while she was 17 and underage. Berlusconi will also face charges of abuse of power for calling police when Ruby was picked up on theft charges in on unrelated occasion. The PM dismisses the sex charges as “groundless,” but admits he called police on the other occasion.
Judge Cristina Di Censo told reporters on Tuesday that the proceedings will begin on April 6.
If found guilty, the prime minster who is now serving his third term in office, could be ordered to serve up to 15 years in prison.
Berlusconi said he made the call as a favor for now deposed Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, because the Italian leader was told the girl was Mubarak’s granddaughter, according to BBC.
In Italy, prostitution is not itself illegal, but sex with someone under 18 is.
Last Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Italian women across the country and overseas took to the streets in protest of the behavior of their prime minster.
Berlusconi was first elected to Parliament at the same time he became prime minister in a snap election in 1994.
Berlusconi is also currently facing charges of bribery and corruption. Over the last 20 years, the BBC calculates that he has made approximately 2,500 court appearances in 106 trials related to a variety of charges including bribery, tax evasion, Mafia collusion, and money laundering. His various business interests include media companies, advertising, insurance, construction, and a professonal soccer club.
