Moroccan woman in Berlusconi sex trial arrives in court

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Moroccan woman at the center of former Premier Silvio Berlusconi's sex-for-hire trial has arrived in court to testify as a witness for the first time Monday, Jan 14, while defense lawyers sought to shut down the trial because of Italy's election campaign, The Associated Press reports.

Karima el-Mahroug was ordered by the court to appear after failing to show on two previous dates, reportedly because she was in Mexico on vacation. She has been called as a defense witness.

Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with el-Mahroug, better known as Ruby, when she was 17, and then trying and cover it up. Both deny sexual contact.

El-Mahroug is the last witness due to testify, meaning that a verdict could come before the Feb. 24-25 elections in which Berlusconi is heading a center-right coalition.

But Berlusconi's defense lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini, filed a motion to suspend the proceeding, citing the demands of the election campaign.

The prosecution opposed the request, saying the trial regards Berlusconi private life.