Milan, April 11: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today accused Italy’s judges of being out to get him and laughed off his ongoing sex crime trial as he returned to court on fraud charges in a separate trial.
“The prosecutors are working against the country,” Berlusconi told reporters in the courtroom, as some 200 supporters outside held up placards reading “Silvio Resist!” and clutched blue balloons from his People of Freedom party.
He said there should be an overhaul of Italy’s justice system to prevent it becoming “a weapon of political struggle” — after his government earlier this year proposed reforms seen as curbing the power of investigating magistrates.
The prime minister also condemned his trial on charges of sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power which began last week.
The accusations were “laughable, unfounded and crazy,” he said.
-Agencies