Global General

Berlusconi appears at corruption trial

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-09 16:53

MILAN - Premier Silvio Berlusconi has arrived in court for his corruption trial on charges he bribed a witness to lie in another trial.

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It is the premier's fourth court appearance in recent months. He has pledged to appear as often as official duties allow to defend himself in four active cases.

Most spectacularly, Berlusconi is on trial for allegedly paying an under-age prostitute and using his influence to cover it up. In two other cases, he is accused of tax fraud.

Berlusconi's appearance Monday coincides with commemorations honoring magistrates killed by domestic terrorists. A handful of demonstrators gathered outside in support of magistrates, whom Berlusconi regularly attacks as biased.