Silvio Berlusconi prostitution trial
The Rubygate scandal concerns accusations that the Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, paid the nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug – also known by the stage name Ruby Rubacuori (Italian for "Ruby Heartsbreaker") – for sexual services between February and May 2010 when she was under age. While the investigators claim to have evidence from lawful interception of mobile phone conversations, Berlusconi's lawyers deny the allegations, calling the investigation absurd and without foundation.[1][2]
Arrest of Ruby Rubacuori
On 27 May 2010, El Mahroug was arrested by the police in Milan after being accused of the theft of three thousand euros. Since she was not carrying any legal or identification documents, the officers took her to the local police headquarters to identify her and for questioning. Since she was aged under eighteen a judge ordered the police to direct her to a shelter for juvenile offenders.
After a couple of hours, while she was being questioned, Berlusconi, who was at the time in Paris, called the head of the police in Milan and pressured for her release, claiming the girl was related to then President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and that in order to avoid a diplomatic crisis, she was to be brought to the custody of Nicole Minetti. Following repeated telephone calls by Berlusconi to the police authorities, El Mahroug was eventually released and entrusted to Minetti's care.[3]
Miss Minetti was known for previous associations with Berlusconi, having danced for "Colorado Cafe", a show on one of Berlusconi's TV channels, and on "Scorie", an Italian version of Candid Camera. In November 2009 she became a dental hygienist, and shortly afterward treated Berlesconi for two broken teeth and facial injuries after he was attacked with a marble statue at a political rally.[4] In February 2010 she was selected as one of the candidates representing Berlusconi's The People of Freedom party, despite a lack of political experience, and seated on the Regional Council of Lombardy the following month.[5][6]
The Guardian reported that according to a series of media reports in October 2010, Berlusconi had met El Mahroug, then 17, through Nicole Minetti. Mahroug insisted that she had not slept with the then 74-year-old prime minister. She told Italian newspapers that she merely attended dinner at his mansion near Milan. El Mahroug said she sat next to Berlusconi, who later took her upstairs and gave her an envelope containing €7,000. She said he also gave her jewelery.[5]
Investigation
In January 2011, Berlusconi was placed under criminal investigation relating to El Mahroug for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute and for abuse of office relating to her release from detention.[7] Berlusconi's lawyers were quick to deny the allegations as "absurd and without foundation" and called the investigation a "serious interference with the private life of the Prime Minister without precedent in the judicial history of the country."[1]
Indictment of Berlusconi
On 15 February 2011, a judge indicted Berlusconi to stand trial.[8] The fast track trial was fixed to open on 6 April 2011; if convicted, the prime minister could face up to 15 years in prison.[9] In Italy, paying for sex with a minor is punished within a range of six months to three years imprisonment, while the crime of malfeasance in office (Italian: concussione) is more severely punished, from four years to twelve years imprisonment, as it is considered a type of extortion committed by a public officer.
See also
References
- ^ a b Faris, Stephan (14 January 2011). "Did Italy's Berlusconi Pay for Sex?". Time magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- ^ Walston, James. "Why Silvio Berlusconi is still standing". Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- ^ ‘Prosecutors send fresh evidence for Ruby case searches: Lombardy councillor at centre of scandal summoned’, ANSA, 26 January 2011.
- ^ Nick Pisa. "Running for Parliament, the Italian showgirl who made Silvio Berlusconi smile again". Mail Online.
{{cite web}}: Text "2010-02-19" ignored (help) - ^ a b Walker, Peter (14 January 2011). "Ruby Rubacuori could finally bring down Silvio Berlusconi", Guardian
- ^ ANI (19 January 2011). "Female politician 'organized lesbian romps for Silvio Berlusconi'". New Kerala.
- ^ Berlusconi Faces New Criminal Probe in Italy Newsweek, 14 January 2011
- ^ "Silvio Berlusconi sent for trial accused of paying for sex with teenager". Guardian. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Silvio Berlusconi faces Ruby sex charge trial in April". BBC News. Retrieved 15 February 2011.