Berlusconi to ‘STAND TRIAL’: Controversial former Italy PM ‘to face corruption charges’
SILVIO Berlusconi – the controversial former prime minister of Italy – is set to stand trial, legal sources have claimed.
Silvio Berlusconi receives rapturous welcome at campaign in Sicily
He was reportedly ordered earlier today to stand trial on a charge of judicial corruption, according to people familiar with the case.
Berlusconi, who serves as leader of the centre-right Forza Italia (Go Italy!) party, is accused of bribing a witness to give false testimony at a trial in 2013.
In the 2013 trial he was accused of having sex with an under-aged prostitute.
The source claimed the trial is set to begin in February, in the Tuscan city of Siena.
It comes as the leader – known simply as ‘Silvio’ to his followers – attempts to court the political spotlight once more.
Mr Berlusconi, who served as prime minister from 2008-2011, is currently barred from a return to frontline politics due to a past tax fraud convictions.
But a team of human rights lawyers are defending the 81-year-old’s right to assume public office once more in a separate case, following the success of a centre-right coalition led by the Italian.
Meanwhile the former leader is already gearing up for a return to Italian politics – whether he can stand for office or not.
He told an Italian newspaper last month: “I hope the Strasbourg court will make a decision in time for the elections.
“It would be hugely controversial if I’m not granted justice in time for the vote.
"Either way, whether I’m able to be a candidate or not, I will be campaigning with all my passion.
“Sicily showed us that a good centre-Right candidate can win if he is supported by a broad coalition.”
Mr Berlusconi campaigned tirelessly for right-wing coalition candidate for Sicily Nello Musumeci, who was backed by the controversial former leader’s Forza Italia, the Northern League, and Brothers of Italy.