Berlusconi (Italian PM) faces the judgment of a Milan court

[Ediacara]

Berlusconi faces the judgment of a Milan court, and increasingly disgruntled voters

By Peter Popham in Rome
17 April 2004

After nine months on ice, the trial of the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on charges of bribing judges got under way again in Milan yesterday.

Mr Berlusconi was not in court, but the proceedings immediately ran into trouble when the prosecution claimed that the presiding judge, Francesco Castellano, might be biased and asked him to stand down. They said he had jeopardised his position by telling Il Giornale, a newspaper owned by Mr Berlusconi's brother, that the trial was "not normal", and that corruption magistrates had devoted much of their attention to the Prime Minister's business affairs.

"The fact that gave the interview was a serious interference with a case under way," Ilda Boccassini, the chief prosecutor, told the court. After three hours of debate the bench of three judges rejected the prosecution's request.

More at the Independent

[Just Me]

1. I've heard through the grapevine he is very unpopular,...

,...and way, way corrupt. The Italians seriously dislike this man. I hope he gets what he deserves.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Silvio Berlusconi's a great man, so stop saying that!

Just look how much our pResident thinks of Berlusconi! Would he be so fond of him if there was anything WRONG with him? Why this must be a lie from the "liberal press!"



It must be the "liberal press" in Italy resents Berlusconi for his ability to cut taxes, so they're out to get him. Yeah, that's it.