Berlusconi sentenced to one year in jail

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/uk-italy-berlusconi-trial-wiretap-idUKBRE9260GR20130307



MILAN | Thu Mar 7, 2013 11:12am GMT

(Reuters) -

An Italian court on Thursday sentenced former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to a one-year jail term for making public the taped contents of a confidential phone call in a case related to a 2005 banking scandal.

The sentence, which was read in court by the judge, came as Berlusconi is facing two other trials for alleged tax fraud and paying for sex with an underage prostitute.

Prosecutors in the wiretap case had asked for a one-year jail term for the media tycoon.

Berlusconi, who has denied any wrongdoing, can seek to have the decision overturned before a court of appeal.

Under Italian law, he is not expected to serve any prison term until all possible appeal trials have been carried out.

(Reporting by Manuela D'Alessandro, writing by Antonella Ciancio; editing by James Mackenzie)

thanks for the news

Berlusconi sentenced to one year in jail

Berlusconi gets jail sentence for illegal wiretaps, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is sentenced to a one-year jail term for making public the taped contents of a confidential phone call.


An Italian court has sentenced former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to a year in prison over the publication of leaked transcripts from a police wiretap in a newspaper he owns. Berlusconi, who faces two more verdicts this month for tax fraud and having sex with an underage prostitute, can appeal the conviction, which would suspend the sentence under Italian law.

Italian sentencing guidelines indicate that people aged over 75 and with sentences of less than two years do not have to actually go to prison. Berlusconi, a billionaire media tycoon, is 76.

‘‘I am disappointed and concerned because I am convinced that the proof was insufficient, contradictory or missing,’’ Berlusconi’s lawyer Piero Longo told reporters after the hearing on Thursday.

‘‘I was not expecting a conviction,’’ he said.

Fabrizio Cicchitto, a leading member of Berlusconi’s People of Freedom party, said: ‘‘The plan to eliminate Silvio Berlusconi through the justice system is now so obvious that it is dangerous for democracy.’’

The party is preparing a demonstration later this month against a justice system that Berlusconi frequently portrays as left-wing and biased. Berlusconi stood accused of violating secrecy laws after his Il Giornale newspaper published transcripts in 2005 that were widely seen as an attempt to discredit a senior member of the centre-left Democratic Party ahead of elections in 2006. The leaks were about the attempted takeover of BNL bank by insurance giant Unipol.

Berlusconi’s brother Paolo, editor of Il Giornale, was sentenced to two years and three months. Silvio Berlusconi also faces a verdict possibly this month in a trial in which he is accused of having sex with a then 17-year-old prostitute when he was prime minister and then abusing the power of his office by putting pressure on police to release her from custody. A verdict in his appeal trial against a tax fraud conviction from last year in which he was also sentenced to a year in prison is also expected this month.

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‘‘The plan to eliminate Silvio Berlusconi through the justice system is now so obvious that it is dangerous for democracy.’’

I'd say, based on what I've seen of Silvio's behavior in Italy where he basically owns the media, democracy has been in danger there for years! And, of course, he will receive 1 year sentences for the other charges so that he won't end up actually having to spend a day in jail.

Can I just ask what the point is in seeking a conviction for someone who cannot go to jail over 75 years, unless it is to discredit him, but he does a good job of that himself!

Okay Belusconi reminds me a bit of the former mayor of Washington, DC Marion Barry. Mayor Barry gets caught in a hotel room with a hooker snorting cocaine with video, and still a portion of Washington, DC loves him and elects him to a councilman office. Didn't Berlusconi come in second in the prime minister race the other day even though he was on trial numerous times. It is amazing what people will believe. Glad George never really got that involved with him. I actually feel bad for Eli if she was more involved. He seems like a pig.

it's worse than that
he wanted corruption into our Country
at every levels

this is a really bad illness for us

theminis wrote:Can I just ask what the point is in seeking a conviction for someone who cannot go to jail over 75 years, unless it is to discredit him, but he does a good job of that himself!

He passed that law himself recently...Lol

Italian politics is a joke IMO....its a shame for the people.

I know

Ilda Boccassini
the lawyer against him
had to do her final harangue
today
about the trial of Ruby rubacuori (stealer of hearts)
-the 17 (at the time) years old
allegedy payed from berlusconi for sex-
but he send the umpteenth
medical certificate
to stay home



it is LA GIORNATA DELLA DONNA
International Women's Day
today

He's unbelievable isn't he IM.
Why do the people still want him ?

I'm amazed he hasn't been assassinated by now

In hospital with an 'eye problem' Can't take bright lights apparently, Trial halted

What a strategist -or, erm, prima donna?

I am with you don't get why a portion of the public seems to like and love these poisonous people. Just so odd. What do they see that the rest of us don't? Very damaging to Italy on so many levels.

Huge charisma, I suspect - and, I hear, something called hope and optimism!! Everything will be coming up roses etc - plus the odd bit of power (i e several national tv stations) to deliver his message.

Sort of a Murdoch, if you like, with fewer scruples, a possible hair transplant and many a young 'friend' to keep the tabloids happy - allegedly!

Berlusconi should do himself and everybody in Italy a favor: he should exile himslef to the island of Alba, like Napoleon did many years ago. Have history repeat itself.

God how many haters here!
I Berlusconi! Marry me!

Joanna wrote:He's unbelievable isn't he IM.
Why do the people still want him ?

why?
bec some are dishonest like him
others would like to be as he (was)
many ppl's votes we fear was payed for (voto di scambio: drug, some little money, they said maybe food too)

Do we really think he will go to jail?

no, I think he will marry BIC

isn't there another thread regarding this guy?

LOL

sadly (bec I really think he was a big disaster for our Country) he is guilt
but in terms of jail.... even too old

house arrest I guess
it will be the penalty

the most important thing is
no more
politics


for him
(directly)

Yes there was, Playful. Thanks and I've moved the posts about Berlusconi here.

it's me wrote:house arrest I guess
it will be the penalty

And let the bunga bunga parties resume.