Berlusconi lawyer: Premier immune from prosecution

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Berlusconi lawyer: Premier immune from prosecution
By Associated Press
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 - Added 1 hour ago

ROME — Silvio Berlusconi’s lawyers sought to persuade a top Italian court Tuesday to uphold a law shielding the premier from two trials in a case fraught with political repercussions.

Any decision by the Constitutional Court will have serious consequences: If the law is rejected, the trials — one for bribery, the other for tax fraud — will resume, dealing a blow to a premier already weakened by sex scandals and a shaky parliamentary majority. If it is upheld, Berlusconi will be able to focus on tightening his grip on power.

A decision is expected Thursday.

In an hour-long public hearing in an 18th-century palazzo, the Constitutional Court heard a review of the case and arguments from Berlusconi’s lawyers, who maintained the legislation is necessary to safeguard the right to a fair defense and does not breach the constitution.

The law was passed in March by Berlusconi’s conservative forces, who control parliament, and went into effect the following month. It marked the third attempt at shielding Berlusconi from prosecution during his various stints as head of government, rekindling accusations that the premier was seeking to protect his personal interests. In both previous cases, in 2004 and 2009, the court struck down the immunity legislation.









Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/20110111berlusconi_lawyer_premier_immune_from_prosecution/

[Crowman1979]

1. On a side note, I can't wait for Tottenham Hotspurs to beat the crap out of Berlusconi's AC Milan...

...in the UEFA Champions League next month.

[NewJeffCT]

2. That sounds kind of Nixonian

that the premier is above the law...

[conspirator]

3. Berlusconi is the godfather supreme of the cosa nostra. So he IS immune

even if not written in paper

[bobthedrummer]

4. DUCE! DUCE! DUCE! Just like GEORGE WALKER BUSH, RICHARD BRUCE CHENEY et al...kick