Berlusconi lawyer doesn't dispute prostitution occurred

Rome, March 10 - Ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's
lawyer said Tuesday that he doesn't dispute the fact that
prostitutes were hired to take part in parties at the
politician's home.
But Franco Coppi told the Court of Cassation, which is
hearing an appeal by prosecutors of Berlusconi's acquittal in
the Ruby case, that there is no evidence the Forza Italia (FI)
leader knew that one known as Ruby was under-age.
"The judgment of the Court of Appeal recognizes the fact
that paid prostitution occurred at Arcore (Berlusconi's
residence)," said Coppi.
"That is something that even we, as the defence, do not
question but what is missing is evidence the Berlusconi knew
that Ruby was a minor (at the time of the parties)," Coppi said.
The prosecution argues that the evidence does actually
exist and has asked the high court to overturn Berlusconi's
acquittal last year.
Last July, a Milan appeals court ruled that although
Berlusconi paid for sex with a Moroccan dancer called Ruby the
Heartstealer, it upheld his acquittal of involvement in underage
prostitution and abuse of office.
The court cleared the 78-year-old billionaire of the
underage prostitution charge because it said there was no proof
Berlusconi knew Ruby was 17 at the time - one year under the
legal limit for sex workers.
The court said "paid acts of a sexual nature" took place
between Berlusconi and Ruby, whose real name is Karima El
Marough.
It added that El Marough's "uninhibited habits and
exhibitionist attitudes" were "perfectly compatible" with the
so-called 'bunga bunga' sex parties that took place at
Berlusconi's home at Arcore, near Milan.
The court said it had established there was "certain proof
of prostitution at Arcore on the evenings when Karima El Mahroug
too part (in the parties)".
"She stayed there overnight at least twice", it added.

© Riproduzione riservata