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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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6

Court Rejects Law Giving Berlusconi Immunity

Italian PM will have to stand trial for corruption

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(Newser) – An Italian court struck down the law designed to protect Silvio Berlusconi from corruption charges, ruling that it would take a constitutional amendment, not a mere act of parliament, to save the Italian prime minister. Courts can now resume the two corruption trials against Berlusconi that have been on hold since the law was passed last year. Berlusconi complains that the trials are politically motivated.

The prime minister still has three years left on his term, and remains popular, despite the corruption allegations—he’s been acquitted in eight other corruption trials over his careers—and the sex scandals surrounding him. In the wake of today's ruling, a spokesman tells the BBC that he won't resign. "Berlusconi, the government, and the majority will continue to govern."

Silvio Berlusconi delivers his speech as he attends a meeting in Milan, Italy, Sept. 27, 2009.
Silvio Berlusconi delivers his speech as he attends a meeting in Milan, Italy, Sept. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
A view of the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
A view of the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
From left, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's lawyers Niccolo' Ghedini and  Piero Longo, wait for the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
From left, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's lawyers Niccolo' Ghedini and Piero Longo, wait for the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Constitutional Court president Francesco Amirante addresses the court during a hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
Italian Constitutional Court president Francesco Amirante addresses the court during a hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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6 comments
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osu1067
Oct 7, 09 1:18 PM CDT
Ah, sweet justice. Reply
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mehrheit
Oct 7, 09 3:22 PM CDT
JagerHans, if you stop by here, what do you think of this excerpt from the timesonline article --- "The trials against me are a farce. Viva Italia and Viva Berlusconi!” he said with a clenched fist. He added that the court, the head of state and the media all favoured the Left. --- He frickin OWNS most of their media, right? Reply
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jagerhans
Oct 8, 09 3:52 AM CDT
well actually yes, the only big newspaper that bashes him being part of a group that he stole from his owner by bribing a judge. later he was forced to give up that newspaper to the legitimate owner by political mediation. now he has to face that bribing charge along with some others. on national tv channels a few days ago he hijacked the programs deleting some shows to gain total attention on himself talking without contradiction in front of a servant anchorman (the show is 'porta a porta', door to door), yet it was a flop. when i watched him yesterday yelling in anger 'viva berlusconi, viva l'italia' (probably he thinks they are synonims) that gave me a big laugh and some hope, maybe the son of a bitch is going to go full nuts and join the asylum once and for all. but the best part of the show was late in the night when he called by phone the same anchorman of that talk show he hijacked , insulted personally a member of the opposition , a woman , then openly said on air that he expected the president to make pressures for him on the judges of the supreme court and that he will never surrender, he ranted about the usual communists... everybody was appalled by that unforeseen show of arrogance and hate. before he answered very roughly to the President, guilty for him of having not supported him and his will to the extent that he wished. but what is the most horrible thing is that many still will support him after the horrible image of himself that he showed the world. we deserve hell
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jagerhans
Oct 8, 09 4:14 AM CDT
however it is hard to give a short account of the whole italian circus that is going on. but i want to gift you with a couple of final treats. 1) the crazed leader of the racist party 'north league' said that if the courts didn't pass the bill, he would summon his people to wreak havoc and claimed their descent from the 'Gauls' . Now we are all waiting his berserks to come. 2) in the morning berlusconi claimed he was sure to win, but later in the evening when he learned that the constitutional courts deleted his law he said he expected that 'cause those all judges are just a bunch of leftists'. you are missing some really amusing things if you don't follow italian internal affairs... differently from us you can take a big laugh on this hellish mess .
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mehrheit
Oct 8, 09 6:17 PM CDT
Thanks for answering my question! I usually read stories about Italy I when I come across them. My mom's family came from Naples, a couple of my great-great(-great?)uncles got busted+deported during prohibition and their families stayed in Italy, so I probably have a ton of cousins there that I don't know about. Maybe Silvio himself?!? LOL. Thanks again. Reply
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