Berlusconi convicted of wiretapping

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been convicted for the illegal publication of transcripts of wiretapped conversations…

Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to one year in prison by a court in Milan today. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to one year in prison by a court in Milan today. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been convicted for the illegal publication of transcripts of wiretapped conversations in a newspaper owned by his media empire.

A Milan court today sentenced him to one year in jail, although he is unlikely to be put behind bars during a possible appeal.

The verdict carries no impact on Mr Berlusconi’s eligibility to participate in a new government.

His centre-right coalition finished third in parliamentary elections that saw now clear winner. Talks on forming a new government are expected to begin on March 20th.

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The charge relates to the 2005 publication in of a wiretapped call that was part of an investigation into a failed bid to take over a bank.

PA