Court rules British lawyers shielded Berlusconi

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been undermined by another corruption case ruling. Judges in Milan found that a British lawyer had lied in two earlier cases, partly to protect Berlusconi’s business interests.

The finding was published today in a court paper explaining the sentencing of David Mills to more than four years on corruption charges.

The judges say Mills gave false testimony in separate cases in the 1990s to shield the Italian leader’s Fininvest holding company from charges relating to the purchase of US film rights.

It is the lastest in a series of similar allegations against him. Prosecutors claim Berlusconi effectively paid Mills for his testimony. The prime minister has said he will report to parliament on the ruling but did not say when.

He has long claimed the corruption allegations against him are politically motivated.

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tags: Italy, Justice, Silvio Berlusconi