The Italian Supreme Court has upheld former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi four-year jail term in a tax fraud conviction. The court also ordered to review a five-year ban on him from holding a public office.
The sentence cannot be appealed against further but Berlusconi, 76, is unlikely to go to jail because of his age. This is because of a 2006 amnesty law. Three of the four years' sentence will not be effective, while Berlusconi being over 70 would likely not serve the remaining year in jail but be given social work or house arrest.
5 judges on Thursday confirmed the guilty verdict imposed last year by a Milan court.
The highest court's decision came after 12 years of trial.
Berlusconi was convicted for artificially inflating prices in the purchase of rights to American movies for his broadcaster in order to avoid taxes.
Berlusconi, who is also appealing convictions in separate cases on paying a minor for sex and illegal use of wiretapping, has reassured that his legal troubles will not interfere with stability of the government.
However, many of his allies had threatened to resign in case of conviction, which would add to tensions in the fragile coalition led by Prime Minister Enrico Letta, in which Berlusconi's party shares power.
"The high road is respect of judiciary," Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said in a statement soon after the verdict.
"This time the climate surrounding the Supreme Court's ruling was more respectful and relaxed compared to other proceedings in which Berlusconi was involved, and I think that this was positive for everyone," he said.
(with inputs from IANS and ANI)
null
|
|
Comments:
