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Granting a request by Milan magistrates, Judge Cristina Di Censo said the first hearing would take place on April 6, in a move that brings a longrunning probe into the premier’s private life to a head.
Following the announcement, the prime minister’s camp reiterated its claims that Berlusconi was the victim of a witch hunt by his political opponents.
“We didn’t expect anything else,” his lawyers said.
Berlusconi, whose bedroom antics sparked a nationwide protest by Italian women on the weekend, will be tried by three female judges.
In the trial, the prime minister will have to answer allegations that he paid for sex with a nightclub dancer called “Ruby the Heart Stealer,” who was 17 at the time.
He is also accused of persuading police to release Ruby after she was arrested for alleged theft, and hand her over to Nicole Minetti, the prime minister’s former dental hygienist and a regional representative for his party.
Berlusconi’s defence claim he did not abuse his power because he mistakenly believed Ruby to be the niece of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and had been dutifully helping a fellow leader avoid diplomatic fallout.
His critics said the guiltridden lover was attempting to keep his links with the young Moroccan out of the public eye. — AFP.
Online Reporter