Tax fraud trial adjourned

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

THE tax fraud trial of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi reopened yesterday after a year but was immediately adjourned to January.

The premier was at a global food summit in Rome and did not attend the hearing in Milan.

His lawyers said Berlusconi was unavailable for the trial due to his engagements as premier until January 18.

Judge Edoardo D’Avossa ruled that there will be two technical hearings before that date. But he said that the trial will start in earnest on January 18.

Berlusconi is accused of tax fraud involving his broadcaster Mediaset’s purchase of TV rights. He denies the charge saying he is the victim of politically motivated magistrates.

The trial had not been possible because of a law shielding Berlusconi from prosecution while in office. But a top Italian court overturned the legislation last month.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, November 17, 2009