Milan magistrates have ordered police to search for a Moroccan nightclub dancer at the centre of a sex trial involving Silvio Berlusconi, now seeking a fifth term as prime minister in an election next year, after she failed to show up in court.

Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi made a rare court appearance to deny some of the more salacious accusations at the centre of a sex scandal that has muddied his reputation.

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi showered young showgirls and starlets with cars, rent-free apartments and jobs in politics, a court has heard.

Veteran political survivor Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi faced his biggest challenge yet today when he was ordered to stand trial on prostitution and abuse of power charges.

Italian prosecutors today formally requested that premier Silvio Berlusconi stand trial over accusations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and then used his influence to try to cover it up.

Italian prosecutors want to put premier Silvio Berlusconi on trial over accusations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and then used his influence to cover it up.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is under investigation in a prostitution case involving a then-17-year-old Moroccan girl, Italy’s leading newspaper reported today.