Italy’s top court debates Berlusconi immunity law

Italy’s top court debated yesterday whether a law granting immunity to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi violates the Constitution, in a politically sensitive ruling that could reopen trials against him.

After a public hearing, the Constitutional Court’s 15 judges withdrew to deliberate and after about two hours in private adjourned until this morning, a judicial source said.

They are expected to rule by tomorrow, but Italian media said they were split down the middle over the case, and could decide to delay their verdict by two weeks.

The controversial law shielding Italy’s top four holders of state office, including Mr Berlusconi, from prosecution was one of the first acts of the conservative leader’s government when he formed his latest government last year.

Legal proceedings against him were halted as a result, including a trial in which he is accused of bribing British lawyer David Mills to give false testimony to protect his businesses.

Two other cases, one accusing Mr Berlusconi of tax fraud and false accounting over the acquisition of TV rights by his family-owned broadcaster Mediaset, and another involving allegations that he tried to corrupt opposition senators, have also been frozen.

Mr Berlusconi denies any wrong­-doing.

Prosecutors in those cases have appealed to the Constitutional Court, arguing that the immunity law violates principles enshrined in the Constitution – including that all citizens are equal before the law.