Former Italian PM Berlusconi to be investigated for allegedly tampering with evidence in underage prostitution trial

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is to be investigated for alleged witness-tampering in an underage prostitution trial.

He and his lawyers are accused of meeting the female witnesses to discuss the evidence they would give.

Berlusconi was convicted last year of paying for sex with an underage prostitute Karima El Mahroug, also known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer".

The latest allegations against him stem from a related legal case.

Forty-five people are under investigation, according to judicial officials, including senior members of Berlusconi's legal team, Niccolo Ghedini and Piero Longo.

Also being investigated are young women who attended parties at Berlusconi's villa near Milan.

The former prime minister was sentenced to seven years in custody last July for paying for sex with a prostitute aged under 18 and abuse of office. Due to his age - 77 - he will not go to jail, but is obliged to carry out community work.

Karima El Mahroug has always denied having sexual relations with Berlusconi.

Source - BBC