Court overturns Berlusconi's immunity law

[MissHoneychurch]

Source: CNN

Italy's top court has overturned a law that shielded Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from possible prosecution.

The flamboyant prime minister pushed the law through after he returned to power in 2008, but legal authorities in the city of Milan challenged it in the Constitutional Court.

The ruling potentially opens the way for the billionaire prime minister to face charges of bribery, influence peddling and tax fraud -- but it is unlikely the court verdict itself will force him to resign.

Read more: http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-07/world/italy.berlusconi_1_prime-minister-silvio-berlusconi-constitutional-court-law?_s=PM:WORLD

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Good news!!!

[HeroTwins]

1. I bet this feels worse than getting hit in the face with a Replica Cathedral

Silvio,
Silver and Gold
Can't buy back the beat of a heart grown cold

[MinneapolisMatt]

2. This is excellent.

Good news.

[rhett o rick]

3. I wonder if he needs a reminder of what happened to Mussolini? nm

[formercia]

11. That's too easy of a way out .

Silvio needs to spend some time with the little people in prison and see how the other 99.99% live.

[ck4829]

4. Aww, maybe he could resign and spend some more time with his family (And 18 year old girlfriends)

[dipsydoodle]

5. Berlusconi suffers trial setback as judges amend law

Source: BBC News

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has suffered a setback after judges amended a law shielding him from prosecution temporarily.

A Constitutional Court meeting in Rome ruled that individual judges should be allowed to decide whether a prime minister could be tried in office.

The 15 judges found that some points of the law passed last year were not consistent with the constitution.

Mr Berlusconi is a defendant in three trials which have been suspended.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12179316

[Judi Lynn]

8. Good link. Thanks. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

6. He shouldn't be allowed to commit crimes with no consequence. This is tremendous news.

Thank you, MissHoneychurch.

Recommended.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Let truth prevail.

When does Berlusconi march on Rome with his black shirts?

[Joanne98]

9. Court Revokes Automatic Immunity for Berlusconi

Source: NYT

ROME — Italy’s highest court revoked automatic immunity for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Thursday, a move that could restart three criminal cases against him and further jeopardize his tenuous hold on power.

After meeting for five hours, the 15-member Constitutional Court ruled that the prime minister and his cabinet could be granted temporary immunity, but only if presiding judges in any cases agreed to delay trials while the politicians are in office.

Mr. Berlusconi, who is 74 and has dominated Italian politics for most of the last two decades, has repeatedly said that he had no intention of stepping down, whatever the court’s ruling.

But analysts said the threat that Mr. Berlusconi could find himself back in court creates new uncertainties just a month after he narrowly survived a no-confidence vote.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/world/europe/14italy.html

[Alamuti Lotus]

10. can this chump just swing from a lightpost already?

Every day that this baffoon is still in power, it is another embarassment for Italy.. he's almost a caricature of a corrupt, sleazy clown -- but there he is, in the flesh and in command.

[dipsydoodle]

12. Silvio Berlusconi in probe over teenage dancer Ruby

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is being investigated over his dealings with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer.

Mr Berlusconi is suspected of abusing his power by trying to have the Moroccan girl - known by her stage name Ruby - released from a police cell.

Some reports say the probe includes allegations of underage prostitution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12191500