Rome: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces an inquiry into whether he should stand trial in another sex scandal involving an underage escort.
Prosecutors are expected to request that Berlusconi be charged with power abuse in a case alleging his solicitation of an underage prostitute, Karima El Mahroug, also known in the media as “Ruby the Heart-Stealer,” AFP reported.
A judge will then have five days to decide whether enough evidence exists to put the prime minister on trial.
Berlusconi, who has allegedly intervened in a police operation against her, denies the accusations, saying it is a plot by left-wing prosecutors.
“These inquiries are a farce and will boomerang,” he said.
Italian prosecutors were denied access to search the offices of his accountant as part of their sex-scandal investigation in a vote by parliament on Thursday.
“The center-right trenches are holding well, at least for the moment,” said Massimo Franco, a columnist said.
Reports revealed that Berlusconi had been using a bank account in Milan to make payments to showgirls and models that attended parties at his mansion on the outskirts of the city.
“Italian women are paying the highest price for this scandal, with an image being spread of women whose value is reduced to their bodies and who become tradable goods at the disposal of the sultan, the emperor,” Rosy Bindi, president of the opposition Democratic Party and deputy speaker of the lower house of parliament, told Reuters.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription