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Court weighs Berlusconi immunity Court weighs Berlusconi immunity
(about 2 hours later)
Italy's top court has begun reviewing a law that grants Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office.Italy's top court has begun reviewing a law that grants Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office.
The immunity law enabled Mr Berlusconi to withdraw from a number of court cases, including one where he was accused of corruption.The immunity law enabled Mr Berlusconi to withdraw from a number of court cases, including one where he was accused of corruption.
Opponents say immunity violates the principle that all citizens are equal before the law.Opponents say immunity violates the principle that all citizens are equal before the law.
If Mr Berlusconi loses, his advisers say he may have to resign.If Mr Berlusconi loses, his advisers say he may have to resign.
Observers say that is unlikely, though a ruling against Mr Berlusconi could leave him weakened.Observers say that is unlikely, though a ruling against Mr Berlusconi could leave him weakened.
If the law is ruled unconstitutional, it would open him up again to prosecution, at a time when separate personal scandals have already dented his support, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome.If the law is ruled unconstitutional, it would open him up again to prosecution, at a time when separate personal scandals have already dented his support, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome.
Senator Lucio Malan, a member of Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, said he was confident the law would not be changed.Senator Lucio Malan, a member of Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, said he was confident the law would not be changed.
"The Constitutional Court already ruled about a similar law a few years ago and the current law has been drawn keeping in account what the Constitutional Court said a few years ago," Mr Malan told the BBC's World Update programme."The Constitutional Court already ruled about a similar law a few years ago and the current law has been drawn keeping in account what the Constitutional Court said a few years ago," Mr Malan told the BBC's World Update programme.
"So I think that there won't be major problems with the constitutional court.""So I think that there won't be major problems with the constitutional court."
Bribery convictionBribery conviction
Soon after Mr Berlusconi came to power last year, a law was passed giving him immunity from prosecution while in office.Soon after Mr Berlusconi came to power last year, a law was passed giving him immunity from prosecution while in office.
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World ServiceFROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
At the time he was facing a number of court cases, including one involving the British lawyer David Mills, in which Mr Berlusconi was accused of bribing him to give false evidence.At the time he was facing a number of court cases, including one involving the British lawyer David Mills, in which Mr Berlusconi was accused of bribing him to give false evidence.
Mills, who said he was innocent, was sentenced in February to four years and six months in prison for corruption.Mills, who said he was innocent, was sentenced in February to four years and six months in prison for corruption.
Now prosecutors from that case and two others have appealed to the Constitutional Court, saying immunity puts Mr Berlusconi above the law and should be reversed.Now prosecutors from that case and two others have appealed to the Constitutional Court, saying immunity puts Mr Berlusconi above the law and should be reversed.
Mr Berlusconi says immunity allows him to govern without being "distracted" by the judiciary.Mr Berlusconi says immunity allows him to govern without being "distracted" by the judiciary.
It is not clear exactly when the court will rule, though Italian media reports said a decision could come by Thursday.It is not clear exactly when the court will rule, though Italian media reports said a decision could come by Thursday.
Should it rule the law unconstitutional, the trials against Mr Berlusconi would resume.Should it rule the law unconstitutional, the trials against Mr Berlusconi would resume.
The immunity law also covers the head of state and speakers of both chambers of parliament.The immunity law also covers the head of state and speakers of both chambers of parliament.