Italy's highest court confirms Berlusconi's acquittalMarch 11, 2015 - 09:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italy's highest court has confirmed former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's acquittal on charges of abuse of office and paying for sex with an underage prostitute, BBC News reports. Berlusconi was convicted in 2013 in what became known as the "bunga bunga" case, but won an appeal the next year. The Court of Cassation has now rejected prosecutors' appeals to overturn the acquittal and hold a fresh trial. The three-time Italian leader remains embroiled in several legal battles. Berlusconi and the 17-year-old dancer involved, Karima El-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heartstealer", denied having had sex. The judges at the Court of Cassation took more than nine hours to reach their decision, and will issue a written ruling detailing their reasoning with the next 90 days. The verdict leaves Berlusconi free to rally his Forza Italia party as it struggles to maintain a leading role in Italian politics, analysts say. But he remains under investigation for allegedly paying off witnesses in the "bunga bunga" case, and is on trial in Naples for alleged political corruption. Last week Berlusconi completed a community service sentence for tax fraud, at a care home. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |