Former Italian PM Berlusconi Acquitted of Charges for Witness Tampering in 'Sex Party' Case

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian Prime Minister (85) who has been embroiled in various scandals, has been acquitted of charges related to witness tampering in connection with sex party allegations.

According to local foreign media, the Siena court acquitted former Prime Minister Berlusconi on the 21st (local time). The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges.

Former Prime Minister Berlusconi was charged with hosting a debauched sex party by inviting underage prostitutes to his luxurious villa near Milan in northern Italy in 2010 while serving as Prime Minister. However, in 2015, the Supreme Court confirmed his acquittal due to lack of evidence.

Separately, he had been on trial for allegedly paying large sums to other individuals present at the party at the time to give false testimony in court claiming that the party was not a sex party but a high-class dinner party. The recent acquittal pertains to charges of bribing the pianist at the party.

There are two other ongoing trials related to Berlusconi’s witness tampering charges.

Regarding this ruling, Berlusconi’s lawyer conveyed that the former Prime Minister expressed feeling "very relieved and satisfied."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.