Italian prosecutors today formally requested that premier Silvio Berlusconi stand trial over accusations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and then used his influence to try to cover it up.
A judge must now decide whether to accept the prosecutors' request and indict the 74-year-old leader, or dismiss it.
The prosecutors filed their request in Milan. They are seeking an immediate trial.
Mr Berlusconi has denied the charges.