Berlusconi laughs off tax fraud allegations

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.

In court, Berlusconi sat in the front row next to his lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini, while three witnesses provided testimony on the purchase of television rights for Italian TV.

While he did not address the court, Berlusconi made off-the-cuff remarks to reporters before the hearing and during a break. He also stopped outside to thank dozens of supporters and political allies who were cheering beneath half a dozen huge blue balloons that read “Silvio resist”.