Berlusconi to stand trial

[Al-khiyal]

[Al-khiyal]

[Al-khiyal]

Silvio Berlusconi prostitution trial shaken up as three suspects argue

April 19, 2011 -- The alleged members of a vice ring who are claimed to have procured young women for Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, have fallen out spectacularly, creating a potentially grave problem for his defence. Berlusconi denies paying an underage prostitute and then abusing his position to cover up the alleged offence in a trial that began earlier this month. Three of his associates are also under investigation in related proceedings, on suspicion of aiding and abetting prostitution, juvenile and otherwise. They include Nicole Minetti, an Anglo-Italian dental hygienist and former TV variety dancer whom Berlusconi made a regional parliamentarian. Also under investigation are Emilio Fede, who presents a news programme on one of Berlusconi's TV channels, and Lele Mora, a showbusiness talent scout. Minetti's lawyer handed the prosecutors a document outlining her defence on Monday night. According to reports, the document blames the other suspects for introducing the prime minister to Karima El Mahroug, the then 17-year-old Moroccan runaway known as Ruby who is at the heart of the case. Minetti and her lawyer both denied the reports. "I am not accusing either Emilio Fede or Lele Mora," Minetti said. But that was not Fede's view. After being guided through a summary by Minetti's lawyer, he said: "The memorandum submitted by Nicole Minetti is bull**** ... I deny it." Interviewed by a local TV station, Fede complicated matters further by accusing Mora. "Karima El Mahroug – known as Ruby – got to Arcore [Berlusconi's home near Milan] thanks to Lele Mora," he said. Mora then accused Fede of having fallen into a trap laid by Minetti's lawyer. The TV presenter's involvement stems from a beauty contest in Sicily at which he was a judge and Mahroug a contestant. Fede told his interviewer he had not seen her again after that until one evening at Arcore. Mahroug, he said, had come to Milan on her own initiative and been introduced, through a third party, to Mora. It has been reported that Mora helped her get a job as a nightclub bellydancer. Mahroug herself, who denies being a prostitute, tells a different story – that she was taken to Arcore by Fede in a limousine belonging to Berlusconi's network, accompanied by police outriders. Minetti, Fede and Mora all deny the offences for which they are being investigated.