Berlusconi Acquitted in Italian Court

The court in Siena, Italy, has acquitted former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was accused of bribing witnesses in a case related to the alleged use of underage prostitutes. This was reported by TASS, citing the newspaper Corriere della Sera.

According to the publication, the acquittal also applies to pianist Danilo Marianii. Prosecutors claimed that from 2011 to 2013, Marianii received 170,000 euros from the politician in exchange for providing false testimony regarding evenings at Berlusconi's private villa, which were attended by underage girls.

The prosecution sought a prison sentence of four years and two months for Berlusconi, and four and a half years for Marianii. The politician was fully acquitted in all judicial instances; however, the case relied on testimonies from girls who visited Berlusconi's private residence. Later on, the prosecution cast doubt on their credibility, suspecting them of giving false testimony.