Berlusconi office abuse, sex case appeal begins in ItalyJune 20, 2014 - 15:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Silvio Berlusconi's appeal of his conviction for abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor began on Friday, June 20, opening a new legal battle that could severely limit any active political role for the former Italian Prime Minister, Reuters reports. Berlusconi was convicted last year for paying for sex with former nightclub dancer Kharima El Mahroug, better known by the stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer", when she was under 18, and of abusing his authority to get her released from police custody over unrelated theft accusations. The four-time Prime Minister, still the most influential politician on Italy's center right, was handed a seven-year jail sentence and banned from holding public office. He will not serve any time in jail unless his conviction is upheld and the two-stage appeals process is exhausted. The appeals trial that started Friday was the first part of the process. The final verdict in the so-called Ruby trial could have implications for Berlusconi and his freedom to engage in political activity beyond the case itself. Berlusconi received a definitive conviction for tax fraud last year and was stripped of his seat in parliament. He was given a four-year jail sentence, but that was commuted to a year's community service under a general amnesty, leaving him largely free to campaign in elections and play a political role. However, a second definitive conviction in a criminal trial would violate the terms of the amnesty. That could mean Berlusconi would have to serve time under house arrest. He denies any wrongdoing and says he is being hounded by left-wing magistrates for political reasons. Ruby herself has always denied having sex with Berlusconi and defended him on Friday in an interview published in Il Giornale, a newspaper owned by the 77-year-old media tycoon's family. "The truth is Berlusconi has respected me more than any other man I have met in nightclubs and discos," she told the newspaper. "They gave him seven years for nothing." 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. |