Italian PM admits giving Ruby $87,000 to 'save her from prostitution'
Italian PM admits giving Ruby $87,000 to 'save her from prostitution'
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Berlusconi told reporters outside a Milan court, ahead of a separate appearance on fraud charges against his company Mediaset, that he gave Karima el-Mahroug cash to help her.
Berlusconi said he gave Rubyu00a0the money when he found out that she wanted to start a beauty salon and laser hair-removal treatment center with a friend
He said he gave the young woman "money to avoid prostitution" when he found out she wanted to start a beauty salon and laser hair-removal treatment center with a friend.
Berlusconi said he offered 45,000 euros (Rs 29 lakh) to Mahroug, a Moroccan dancer also known by her stage name Ruby The Heart-Stealer.
"Instead she said 60,000 euros (Rs 39 lakh) and I gave this money so she could avoid any need ... to prostitute herself, and to bring her instead in the opposite direction," he said.
Berlusconi added that his direct intervention to spring Mahroug from police custody on theft accusations in May last year was to "avoid a diplomatic incident."
His aides told police at the time he thought she was the granddaughter of ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.
"I am always courteous and asked for information, worried about situations that could lead to a diplomatic incident.
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Later I was told that she was not Egyptian, and dropped everything," Berlusconi said, before adding the sex charges against him were "laughable, idiotic and unfounded."
Berlusconi also criticised the use of telephone taps, that helped build the sex case against him.
"No civilised country would use telephone tapping as it can be manipulated," he said.
Berlusconi's trial on charges of paying an underage prostitute for sex and abuse of power was postponed last week until May 31.
He faces up to three years in prison on the sex charge and 12 years on the abuse of power charge if convicted.
Berlusconi was at the Palace of Justice in Milan to challenge charges of fraud relating to his business empire Mediaset yesterday. He said outside court that "the prosecutors are working against the country," and denied the charges.
The media tycoon has faced a litany of legal cases since he entered politics.
'You're Dreaming'
'"Nobody in the world has had to defend himself as I have against such an incredible smear campaign," Berlusconi said adding, "The accusations are absolutely invented and crazy." Asked if he would be convicted, he responded, "You're dreaming."
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