Rome, February 09: Italian prosecutors are set to submit a request to a judge for a fast-track trial of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for his alleged abuse of power and sexual conduct.
The request, which must be approved by a judge for the trial to be called, is expected to be filed with the Milan court on Wednesday amid ongoing investigations into Berlusconi’s alleged paying for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan dancer Karima El Mahrough last year at his Milan villa, AP reported.
Meanwhile, Milan’s chief prosecutor, Edmondo Bruti Liberati, stated that he will request the fast-track trial, which waives some preliminary probes based upon magistrates’ conclusion that their evidence is particularly compelling.
The judge will then have five days to decide, although the deadline could be extended by a few days.
He noted that the court would also determine on Wednesday whether the 74-year-old Italian premier should stand trial separately or simultaneously for his allegations of abuse of power and consorting with prostitutes.
The allegations of Berlusconi’s abuse of power revolves around his role in using his influence to get El Mahrough out of police custody in Milan after she was detained in May for the suspected theft of 3,000 euro ($4,103).
The Italian premier has long been buffeted by allegations of corruption and sexual scandals related to his private life, which has given rise to a chorus of calls for him to step down.
Under Italian law, the prostitution charge would carry a maximum sentence of three years and Berlusconi could face a penalty of 12 years if convicted of abuse of power.
In the past week, at least two rallies were held in protest against the scandal-hit leader, one near his private villa in the Milan suburb of Arcore on Sunday and the other in a Milan sports stadium on Saturday, when thousands of protesters, including prominent Italian writers and intellectuals, urged Berlusconi to leave office.
——–Agencies