MILAN, Italy -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared in a court in Milan today to defend himself against charges of fraud in connection with the activities of his media empire.
The case is one of three trials linked to Mediaset currently involving Berlusconi, a media magnate-turned-politician.
He denies any wrongdoing.
His appearance in court today is his first appearance in an open court for trial in eight years.
The 74-year-old Berlusconi is also being tried on charges of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and using his influence to cover it up, but he skipped the opening of that trial last week.
compiled from agency reports
The case is one of three trials linked to Mediaset currently involving Berlusconi, a media magnate-turned-politician.
He denies any wrongdoing.
His appearance in court today is his first appearance in an open court for trial in eight years.
The 74-year-old Berlusconi is also being tried on charges of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and using his influence to cover it up, but he skipped the opening of that trial last week.
compiled from agency reports