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Italy's PM Berlusconi Returns to Court


Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi waves as he leaves the Justice Palace in Milan, Italy, September 19, 2011.
Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi waves as he leaves the Justice Palace in Milan, Italy, September 19, 2011.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was back in a Milan court Monday for the resumption of one of the four trials against him.

Berlusconi's current trial deals with allegations he bribed British lawyer David Mills to lie in court during the 1990s to protect the prime minister's business interests.

Berlusconi also is involved in two other cases concerning his business dealings. He also is on trial for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute and new revelations about the lavish parties he threw for young women at his residences.

The prime minister again denied the charges of bribery, tax evasion and sexual misconduct on Friday - calling them "villainous" attempts to discredit him.

Berlusconi's top aide and designated successor, Angelino Alfano, said Sunday that despite the increasing pressure the prime minister has no desire to resign. He insists he will continue in power until elections when his third term in office ends in 2013.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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