Berlusconi convicted in wiretap case

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been convicted for the illegal publication of transcripts of wiretapped conversations in a newspaper owned by his media empire.

A Milan court today sentenced him to one year in jail, although he is unlikely to be put behind bars during a possible appeal.

The verdict carries no impact on Mr Berlusconi’s eligibility to participate in a new government.

His centre-right coalition finished third in parliamentary elections that saw now clear winner. Talks on forming a new government are expected to begin on March 20.

The charge relates to the 2005 publication in of a wiretapped call that was part of an investigation into a failed bid to take over a bank.