BERLUSCONI FACES BRIBERY CHARGES

FORMER Eyetie prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was dealt a blow in his hopes of once again leading Italy after he was ordered to stand trial on charges of bribing a witness in a “bunga bunga” sex trial.

The randy 81- year- old is accused of having bribed a witness to give false testimony in a trial four years ago, in which he was accused of paying for sex with an underage prostitute, a Moroccan- born belly dancer who called herself Ruby the Heart Stealer.

The trial will begin in Siena, in Tuscany, in February.

It means that Mr Berlusconi will be on trial, accused of a serious offence, at the same time that he tries to make a political comeback as the leader of a centre- Right coalition – challenging the centre- Left and the Five Star Movement.

Election

A general election must be called by May, although the exact date has not been announced yet.

Mr Berlusconi is already under investigation for bribing witnesses in other jurisdictions in Italy and this latest trial will not stop him from standing for office.

He has been accused by prosecutors of bribing the actresses and starlets who attended his so- called “bunga bunga” parties at his holiday villa in Sardinia and his residence outside Milan.

It’s been reported that at the parties women dressed up as policewomen and nuns and then performed strip teases.