Berlusconi tax trial resumes

PREMIER Silvio Berlusconi has gone back on trial for alleged tax fraud in the first of several court cases to resume after Italy’s constitutional court watered down an immunity bill sparing the premier from trial.

Prosecutors say Berlusconi’s Mediaset media empire purchased TV rights for US movies through two offshore companies and falsely declared the costs to reduce the tax bill.

Berlusconi, who wasn’t in court, has denied the allegations.