What is it with these corrupt, ancient heads of state that insist on dying their hair jet black or brown as the case may be?
Prosecutors say they collected enough evidence that Silvio Berlusconi paid for sex with underage girls and abused power.
Prosecutors in Italy will request on Wednesday an immediate trial for the embattled Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is accused of paying for sex with an underage girl and later abusing his power to cover it up.
The request, which means the prosecutors believe they have enough evidence in the case to skip a preliminary hearing, will add to the pressure on the 74-year-old premier, whose centre-right government is hanging on to power by a thread.
Milan prosecutor Edmondo Bruti Liberati said he has sufficient evidence that Berlusconi paid for sex with a "significant number" of young women, including Moroccan nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug when she was under 18, the legal age for prostitution in Italy.
Prosecutors also say he later exerted improper pressure on police to have El Mahroug, known by her stage name "Ruby", released after she was detained on separate theft allegations. They say he feared that her relationship to him would be uncovered.
Once the prosecutors' request for an immediate trial is submitted, a judge will have five days to decide, although the deadline could be extended by a few days. If the judge agrees to the request, the trial could begin within a couple of months.
Declining popularity
Berlusconi denies any wrongdoing and says he has never paid for sex. He says politically motivated leftist prosecutors are hounding him and trying to destroy his career.
The sex and abuse of power scandal has come at a difficult time for Berlusconi, whose grip on power was greatly weakened by a split in his People of Freedom party last year that cost him a
secure majority in parliament.
The latest opinion polls show the investigation has damaged Berlusconi but has not delivered a knock-out blow. A survey published in Corriere della Sera on Monday said only 34 percent of those interviewed thought the media tycoon should stay on as prime minister.
Still, most polls say his centre-right coalition would still likely win an early election unless a fractured opposition, ranging from former neo-fascists to hardline leftwingers, managed to present a united front.
'Mubarak's Neice'
Leaked wiretaps from the investigation have been splashed over media with references to bundles of cash, talk of sex games and gifts that would-be starlets allegedly received after attending parties at Berlusconi's villa.
Berlusconi's defence team has presented evidence from dozens of guests saying the parties were "normal, convivial dinners."
As for the abuse of power allegations, Berlusconi has acknowledged making a call to police on El Mahroug's behalf, saying he had been told she was Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's niece.
His lawyers argue that he did nothing improper and was only trying to avoid a potentially embarrassing diplomatic crisis.
If it is approved, the request for Berlusconi to stand trial is likely to trigger a lengthy legal battle, as his lawyers say the Milan prosecutors have no right to preside over the case.
Berlusconi already faces the resumption of three trials for corruption and tax fraud in the next month after Italy's top court struck down the automatic immunity from prosecution he enjoyed thanks to a law passed by his government.
Italy PM faces 'immediate trial' - Europe - Al Jazeera English
Italy PM faces 'immediate trial'
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