Italy court confirms jail term for Berlusconi

[Savonarola]

I never thought he'd ever have a conviction confirmed

Italy court confirms jail term for Berlusconi
Court upholds tax fraud sentence of four years in prison of which three years are covered by an amnesty.
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2013 23:31

Italy's top court has confirmed a prison sentence for former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Thursday's verdict is the first ever definitive conviction in a tumultuous career for the billionaire tycoon.

The court upheld a tax fraud sentence of four years in prison of which three years are covered by an amnesty, even though Berlusconi is certain to be granted community service or house arrest instead.

Speaking after the verdict, Giorgio Napolitano, the Italian president, urged the country to maintain its calm.

"The country needs to rediscover serenity and cohesion on vitally important institutional matters which have for too long seen it divided and unable to enact reforms," he said in a statement.

He said there had so far been a more "respectful and calm" climate than there had been in previous trials involving Berlusconi and added: "I think this is positive for everyone."

Dozens of police officers blocked off the road in front of Berlusconi's Rome residence ahead of the landmark ruling.

Supporters and opponents of the media baron staged small demonstrations in different parts of Rome.

"Hands off Berlusconi" read a placard held up by one of around 60 activists near the ageing playboy's luxurious home in the centre of the Italian capital.

"We want to say that whatever happens, we will be with him," said Simone Furlan, leader of a group calling itself "Silvio's Army" which organised the rally.

Protesters

Outside the courtroom in a different part of the city centre, a group of anti-Berlusconi activists gathered - holding up a banner reading: "The law is equal for everyone".

Court sources had quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA said there was a possibility that if there was no ruling by 1900 GMT, the verdict could be delayed until Friday.

Even if Berlusconi's conviction is upheld, the sentence cannot be implemented until the Senate votes to lift his parliamentary immunity - a process that could take weeks or even months.

The case revolves around Berlusconi's business empire Mediaset - the starting point for his first foray into politics in the early 1990s.

His tumultuous career has been constantly dogged by legal troubles which he says are politically motivated attacks by left-wing prosecutors.

Final appeal

The current trial is Berlusconi's second and final appeal in the case, which first went to trial in 2006.

The verdict is the first definitive conviction since all past rulings against him have either been overturned on appeal or the charges have expired due to Italy's slow justice system.

He is also appealing convictions in other cases for having sex with an underage prostitute, abusing his prime ministerial powers and leaking a police wiretap to damage a political rival.

Prosecutors have also filed charges alleging he bribed a senator to join his ranks in a move that helped bring down the government in 2008.

"I haven't slept for a month. I wake up at night and stare at the ceiling, thinking about what they've done to me," the media magnate said in an interview with Libero newspaper on Sunday.

"I will not go into exile. Nor will I accept being entrusted to social services, like a criminal who has to be reeducated," he said.

There's a lot of community service that would be well suited for Berlusconi's talents.  He seems interested in troubled teenage girls, for instance.   

[MadImmortalMan]

So, the twenty year appeals process begins? Again?

[CountDeMoney]

FREE SILVIO
NO BUNGA BUNGA PARTIES NO PEACE

[Admiral Yi]

I'm no fan of Silvio's by any stretch of the imagination, but isn't everybody in Italy guilty of tax fraud?

[DontSayBanana]

FREE SILVIO
NO BUNGA BUNGA PARTIES NO PEACE

NO! SLEEP! TIL BUNGA!

[MadImmortalMan]

"The law is equal for everyone"

Not for Amanda Knox.

[CountDeMoney]

"The law is equal for everyone"

Not for Amanda Knox.

True dat, yo.

[Razgovory]

"The law is equal for everyone"

Not for Amanda Knox.

Not for anyone in Italy.  It's a screwy country, the shame of Western Europe.

[Neil]

You know what I like best about Italy?  Their heavy cruiser designs.  The big, treaty-violating designs.  Sure the twin turrets weren't the best move, but they were just nice ships that really had some interesting possibilities in the waters of the Med.

[Ed Anger]

You know what I like best about Italy?  Their heavy cruiser designs.  The big, treaty-violating designs.  Sure the twin turrets weren't the best move, but they were just nice ships that really had some interesting possibilities in the waters of the Med.

The Zara was pretty.

[Sheilbh]

So, the twenty year appeals process begins? Again?

Nowhere left to appeal, this was the Supreme Court.

He's still appealing the 5 year ban on political activity and I think the underage prostitute cases are still working through the courts.

I'm surprised he didn't do a Craxi.

[Neil]

You know what I like best about Italy?  Their heavy cruiser designs.  The big, treaty-violating designs.  Sure the twin turrets weren't the best move, but they were just nice ships that really had some interesting possibilities in the waters of the Med.

The Zara was pretty.

Yeah.  The Italians made some really attractive ships.  It's a shame they were so poorly fought.

[derspiess]

Yeah.  The Italians made some really attractive ships.  It's a shame they were so poorly fought.

I'm by no means a naval history buff, but I have to agree.  I remember first reading about the Italian Navy in WWII and seeing a bunch of pictures of their ships.  Then seeing how horribly the Navy performed.  What a waste.

Conversely, when I first read up on Italian tanks, I was amazed their armored units were able to perform as well as they did.

[Valmy]

I'm by no means a naval history buff, but I have to agree.  I remember first reading about the Italian Navy in WWII and seeing a bunch of pictures of their ships.  Then seeing how horribly the Navy performed.  What a waste.

They had no defenses at all to air attack.  A couple tiny air raids on Ontranto and it was pretty much curtains for a navy that had soaked up a huge percentage of Italy's military budget.

[Syt]

The ministers and members of parliament of Berlusconi's party have threatened to step down if the president doesn't grant amnesty to Silvio.

Which would plunge Italy deeper into crisis.