Court ruling strikes down immunity of Italian premier/ I've duped this!

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 14, 2004, 12:45AM

Court ruling strikes down immunity of Italian premier
By FRANK BRUNI
New York Times
ROME -- Dealing a potentially severe blow to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's highest court on Tuesday overturned a recently enacted law that had shielded him from criminal prosecution while in office.

The Constitutional Court's decision allows the resumption of a bribery trial against Berlusconi that was halted when the law took effect in June and represents more bad news during an especially difficult period for Italy's often embattled leader.

It also was the second time in just a month that watchdog officials in the Italian government essentially slapped his hand for overreaching, lending force to critics' complaints that he has tried to amass too much power.

In mid-December, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who usually performs a ceremonial role, took the unusual step of declining to sign into law a bill regarding media ownership that Berlusconi's allies had fashioned and supported.

That bill would have given Berlusconi, already a media magnate and Italy's richest man, an opportunity to expand his media empire.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/2352390


Berlusconi and friend

[rooboy]

1. Time to hang that son'bitch by his heels... n/t

[Judi Lynn]

2. Sorry, I've duped this story. I'm claiming ignorance, too. n/t