Corruption trial after "Bunga-Bunga" scandal: prosecutors demand six years in prison for Berlusconi

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Silvio Berlusconi at a party event in Naples at the end of May: "There was no crime"

Photo: IMAGO/Ciro Fusco/ IMAGO/ZUMA Press

In the corruption trial surrounding Silvio Berlusconi's so-called "Bunga-Bunga parties," the prosecution in Italy has demanded a six-year prison sentence for the former prime minister.

In their plea, the public prosecutors in Milan on Wednesday also called for part of Berlusconi's assets of 10.8 million euros to be confiscated.

In addition, four houses in Milan are to be secured.

The 85-year-old is accused in the proceedings, among other things, of bribing witnesses.

The case is about celebrations with young women that have become known as "bunga bunga parties" more than ten years ago.

The trial in Milan is the third in the wake of the 2010 scandal. Berlusconi had already been charged with abuse of office and promoting prostitution by minors and was ultimately acquitted for lack of evidence.

The current trial is about whether Berlusconi urged the young women to make false statements in court.

The media entrepreneur denies the allegations.

In addition to Berlusconi, »Ruby« was also accused

Prosecutor Tiziana Siciliano accused Berlusconi of keeping harem ladies and "paid sex slaves" at his celebrations.

In addition to the politician, 27 other people have been charged, including one of the young women who were present at the celebrations.

She called herself Ruby Rubacuori and gave the name to the "Ruby" affairs of Berlusconi.

The public prosecutor's office is demanding several years in prison for her and the other accused - such as parliamentarian Maria Rosaria Rossi.

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The woman who called herself Ruby Rubacuori: Multi-year prison sentence demanded

Photo: Milestone Media / IMAGO

According to the Ansa news agency, Berlusconi's lawyer Federico Cecconi is assuming an acquittal.

"There was no crime," he said.

The verdict in the trial is not expected before the end of September.

At the end of 2021, a court in Siena acquitted Berlusconi of bribing witnesses in the Ruby case.

On Wednesday, leaders of the centre-right party bloc reiterated their support for Berlusconi.

slue/dpa/Reuters