The ruling effectively scraps Mr Berlusconi’s seven-year sentence
Silvio Berlusconi
Milan: An Italian appeals court on Friday cleared Silvio Berlusconi of having sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power in a surprise ruling that will strengthen the former prime minister on the political scene.
“The defendant is acquitted,” presiding judge Enrico Tranfa said, requesting silence after gasps from the courtroom. The ruling effectively scraps Mr Berlusconi’s seven-year sentence and lifelong ban from holding public office.
The judge said there was “no crime” on the abuse of power charge and that Mr Berlusconi’s actions “did not constitute a crime” on the prostitution one, promising to publish a detailed explanation within the three-month legal limit.
( Source : AFP )
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