Former premier Silvio Berlusconi, who has been convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to four years in prison, has condemned the convictions as "unreal".

ITALIAN prime minister Silvio Berlusconi made a rare appearance in open court but left after two hours, saying the hearing at his tax fraud trial was a waste of time and accused prosecutors of having no case against him.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi made a rare appearance in open court at one of his four current trials today, but left soon after claiming the case was a waste of time.