George Clooney, Cristiano Ronaldo called to Berlusconi trial

[News_Editor]

George Clooney, Cristiano Ronaldo called to Berlusconi trial

2011-11-24 07:39:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME (BNO NEWS) -- Hollywood star George Clooney and Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo are among more than 200 witnesses which judges will hear in the so-called "sex trial" of former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, the court said on Wednesday.

"They are cited in testimony from an important plaintiff's witness," Berlusconi's defense counselor Niccolo' Ghedini said, claiming that their time on the witness stand will prove the allegations false. Prosecutors accuse the 75-year-old Berlusconi of paying Moroccan belly dancer Karima el Mahroug for sex when she was under 18.

Karima El Mahroug, better known as Ruby in the media, has verbally testified to seeing Clooney at a party in Berlusconi's Sardinian villa. She has also testified to spending a night in a hotel with the Real Madrid soccer star, the ANSA news agency reported.

On Tuesday, the ex-premier blasted Milan prosecutors for adding 32 young women who attended his alleged sex parties to the list of civil plaintiffs. "The only thing they did wrong was accept an invitation to dinner from the premier," he said.

In three ongoing trials and many previous cases, Berlusconi has always denied wrongdoing, claiming he is the victim of a minority group of allegedly left-wing prosecutors and judges who he says are persecuting him for political reasons.

Berlusconi allegedly paid 'Ruby' for sex in September 2009 when she was only 16 years old during one of the premier's parties at his Milan villa. He, however, has claimed he never "laid a finger on her."

Prosecutors claim that the two had sex at least 13 times when she was 17 years old. Under Italian law, using a sex worker under the age of 18 carries a jail term of up to three years.

The former Prime Minister is also accused of abuse of power in the same case. Prosecutors said that Berlusconi used his influence to get Ruby after she was detained over theft accusations. The ex-Premier said she told him he was a relative of now-ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The abuse of office charge carries a term ranging from six to 12 years in prison. If convicted, Berlusconi faces a maximum of up to 15 years in prison. The next court hearing is scheduled to take place on December 2.

Berlusconi, who won several parliamentary confidence votes during his term, resigned earlier this month. He led Italy as prime minister since May 2008. Before that, he served as prime minister from May 1994 until January 1995 and from June 2001 until May 2006. He also held several positions as minister.

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