Berlusconi gave showgirls cars, flats and political posts

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

A lawyer for Nicole Minetti, 25, a former showgirl who has been accused of recruiting 32 young women as prostitutes for the prime minister’s so-called “bunga bunga” parties (a phrase which is said to refer to a crude after dinner sex game), admitted in court that showgirls were given gifts after attending parties hosted by Berlusconi.

Pier Maria Corso said Minetti was “absolutely not a brothel keeper”, just one of many women who benefited from Berlusconi’s generosity.

Minetti was a former TV showgirl and was rewarded by Berlusconi with a top local government place.

Women were given money and gifts when they attended the parties, Corso said, adding that nothing improper took place.

“There are those who were given a Land Rover, those who got a Smart car, those who received an apartment in the city centre and those who were elected to a regional assembly. To be elected in this way is not a crime,” he said.

Corso denied prosecution claims that Minetti and another woman at the parties ‘indulged in a lesbian kiss’ with then 17-year-old belly dancer Karima El Mahroug — also known as Ruby the Heartstealer.

The 74-year-old prime minister is accused of paying ‘Ruby’ for sex when she was just 17 years old. Even if the lesbian kiss had occurred, it was not an offence, Corso pointed out

The lawyer went on to present the court with a 19th century oil painting by Simeon Solomon called “Sappho and Erinna in the Garden at Mytelene“, in which two young women kiss and embrace.

“Is this really a crime?” Corso asked.

Yesterday was a preliminary hearing to decide if there is enough evidence for Minetti to be sent for trial on charges of procuring prostitutes for Berlusconi. Two other close associates of the prime minister also face similar charges. The case was adjourned until October 3.

El Mahroug is one of 33 women who are said to have been paid with cash, jewellery and other items by Berlusconi in return for sexual favours — allegations he and they deny, insisting the parties were simply “elegant dinners”.