Dua
10-08-2009, 12:33 AM
Berlusconi immunity law overruled (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8295716.stm)
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46501000/jpg/_46501753_008077182-1.jpg
Italy's constitutional court has overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office. The move opens the possibility that Mr Berlusconi could stand trial in at least three court cases, including one in which he is accused of corruption. The judges said immunity violated the principle that all citizens were equal.
Mr Berlusconi said he had expected the ruling as the court was made up of left-wing judges, and would not resign.
"We must govern for five years with or without the law," he told reporters outside his residence in Rome. The prime minister said any trial involving him would be a "farce". 'Distractions'
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says the news has stunned Italy, where he has widespread public support, although that has dipped in recent times. The opposition has already called on him to step down, although it remains unclear how Mr Berlusconi's coalition partners will react, our correspondent says.
When Mr Berlusconi came to office he was facing at least three court cases, including one involving the British lawyer David Mills. In that case 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. Mr Berlusconi and his lawyers had argued that he needed the immunity law to carry out his duties as prime minister, our correspondent says.
The appeal to the Constitutional Court was launched by prosecutors including those from the Mills case.
They contended that immunity put Mr Berlusconi above the law and needed to be reversed.
Mr Berlusconi argued that immunity allowed him to govern without being "distracted" by the judiciary.
Immunity, Immunity, Immunity, Immunity, Immunity, Immunity - Je tunaweza kuiga hii kutoka kwa mafioso?
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46501000/jpg/_46501753_008077182-1.jpg
Italy's constitutional court has overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office. The move opens the possibility that Mr Berlusconi could stand trial in at least three court cases, including one in which he is accused of corruption. The judges said immunity violated the principle that all citizens were equal.
Mr Berlusconi said he had expected the ruling as the court was made up of left-wing judges, and would not resign.
"We must govern for five years with or without the law," he told reporters outside his residence in Rome. The prime minister said any trial involving him would be a "farce". 'Distractions'
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says the news has stunned Italy, where he has widespread public support, although that has dipped in recent times. The opposition has already called on him to step down, although it remains unclear how Mr Berlusconi's coalition partners will react, our correspondent says.
When Mr Berlusconi came to office he was facing at least three court cases, including one involving the British lawyer David Mills. In that case 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. Mr Berlusconi and his lawyers had argued that he needed the immunity law to carry out his duties as prime minister, our correspondent says.
The appeal to the Constitutional Court was launched by prosecutors including those from the Mills case.
They contended that immunity put Mr Berlusconi above the law and needed to be reversed.
Mr Berlusconi argued that immunity allowed him to govern without being "distracted" by the judiciary.
Immunity, Immunity, Immunity, Immunity, Immunity, Immunity - Je tunaweza kuiga hii kutoka kwa mafioso?