Berlusconi Under Pressure in Latest Scandal

Pressure is mounting on Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over his alleged involvement in the release of a 17-year-old belly dancer .
Berlusconi Under Pressure in Latest Scandal
Jasper Fakkert
11/1/2010
Updated:
11/1/2010
Pressure is mounting on Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over his alleged involvement in the release of a 17-year-old belly dancer accused of theft in May this year. Gianfranco Fini, the speaker of the Lower House, and former ally of Berlusconi said on Sunday that if the allegations prove to be true it would be time for Berlusconi to resign, according to Italian newspaper la Repubblica.

The scandal involving Berlusconi, 74, and his relationship to the minor comes as the latest in a string of scandals surrounding the prime minister.

Berlusconi’s office allegedly mediated the release of the girl nicknamed Ruby by providing misleading information saying the girl was the granddaughter of the president of Egypt. Prosecutors are now investigating whether laws have been broken.

Major Italian media are already speculating what might happen if the government falls as a result of the current crisis.
Jasper Fakkert is the Editor-in-chief of the U.S. editions of The Epoch Times. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science and a Master's degree in Journalism. Twitter: @JasperFakkert
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