Prosecutors seek speedy sex trial for Berlusconi

PROSECUTORS will today request an immediate trial against embattled Premier Silvio Berlusconi over accusations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and then used his influence to cover it up.

Prosecutor Edmondo Bruti Liberati said he would file the request with the Milan court today, when prosecutors would decide within five days whether to seek trial on both accusations, and whether they would be tried separately or simultaneously.

Prosecutors allege Berlusconi paid for sex with a young Moroccan, who has since turned 18, and then used his influence to get her out of police custody when she was detained for a suspected theft of €3,000, allegedly fearing her relationship to him would be revealed. She ultimately was released into the custody of a Berlusconi aide who also is under investigation.

Supporters have never denied Berlusconi called Milan police, but said it was to avoid a diplomatic incident, believing the girl was the niece of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Berlusconi, 74, has been dogged by scandals related to his relationships with young women and wild parties at his villa. He denies ever having paid for sex and accused the prosecutors of seeking to drive him from office. Ruby has said they never had sex, though she says he gave her €7,000 on their first meeting and jewellery later.

Prosecutors have been considering a speedy trial for the abuse of power charge, which would skip the preliminary hearing phase if prosecutors believe there is overwhelming evidence to support the charge.