Former Prime-minister Sil’vio Berluskoni is charged with money laundering
21 March 2007The richest man in Italy may be convicted for 12 years.
Former prime minister of Italy Sil’vio Berluskoni and his former lawyer David Mills from Great Britain faced trial in Milan.
The richest man in Italy, possessing 11 milliards dollars, was accused of giving a bribe of 600 thousand dollars to the lawyer at the end of 90th, so that Mills gave false evidence in his benefit in two other trials. If guilt will be proved, each of them can get up to 12 years of imprisonment.
In addition, the present leader of Italian opposition is accused of money laundering through off-shore companies in the period from 1994 to 1999. The next hearing is appointed on March, 22.
Both 70-years-old Berluskoni and 62-years-old Mills deny their guilt. Their lawyer Nikolo Gedini stated in interview with journalists that there is nothing to be afraid of for his clients. “Prosecution has no evidence. It is a just another attempt of political pressure on mister Berluskoni. The only problem for him will be waste of time in a court. This time he would better use with benefit both for the country and for himself”, - underlined Gedini.