Prostitution charges have been formally made against Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, and he can be subject to a trial. Berlusconi is alleged to have engaged the services of an underage prostitute, which has brought on an excellent deal of controversy. Berlusconi’s hold as Prime Minister is growing increasingly shaky, and the first court case on the matter is scheduled for April 6. He will need a pretty large personal unsecured loan to get out of this one.
Italy Prime Minister getting charged
After controversy erupted over whether Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy enlisted the services of an underage prostitute in the past few months, law enforcement officials have brought criminal court case against him, according to The Telegraph. Berlusconi is alleged to have paid for the services of a now-18-year-old who calls herself Ruby the Heartstealer. Ruby, real name Karima el-Mahroug, was 17 at the time of the alleged transaction. The first hearing can be on April 6, as the case was set to be fast tracked by Judge Cristina Di Censo. There are other charges for Berlusconi too. He will be charged for abusing Prime Minister powers.
'Rubygate’ the name
Several protestors, while most were women, were in a protest over the scandal, called "Rubygate" saying Berlusconi needed to be removed. His personal conduct has never gotten him to trial before. In parliament, Berlusconi's party is currently the majority. The New York Times reports that his support is dying off though. It doesn't matter if Berlusconi is in the first hearing. It will occur in Milan. The legality of prostitution is okay in Italy. The issue is that the prostitutes have to be 18 already.
Berlusconi defends himself saying prostitution didn't occur
One of the guests at the lascivious “bunga bunga” parties that Berlusconi held last year was Karima el-Mahroug, then 17. MSNBC reports the first time they met, Berlusconi gave her a little less than $10,000 at 7,000 euros. Prosecutors say it was a payment for sex. Both Ruby and Berlusconi say it didn't occur. They were never even intimate. Berlusconi is also charged with abuse of powers, having personally pressured a police officer to let Ruby out of theft charges. She ended up saying she was Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's granddaughter. He didn't want an international incident on his hands.
Citations
Telegraph
telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8325340/Silvio-Berlusconi-ordered-to-face-trial-over-sex-allegations.html
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/02/16/world/europe/16italy.html
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/41594875/ns/world_news-europe
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