Judges reject bid by Berlusconi to halt sex trial

Judges in Milan rejected a request by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to halt his sex trial until after a national election next month, but allowed the key witness to avoid giving testimony in open court.

The three judges dismissed his lawyers’ argument that his commitments as head of the centre-right coalition in the Feb 24-25 election meant he would not have time to attend the trial.

Berlusconi is charged with paying for sex with a minor, and denies all charges. The trial’s last session is scheduled for Feb 4, meaning that a verdict could come before the election.