International   

Berlusconi aide jailed

ROME: A close aide of former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi went to jail on Friday after Italy's Highest Court upheld a conviction for bribing judges, according to Italian News Agency ANSA. Cesare Previti (71), a former Berlusconi attorney and Defence Minister, was given a six-year term by the Court on Thursday night. Mr. Previti filed a plea on Friday to be released from incarceration under a law recently passed by the Berlusconi Government allowing alternatives such as house arrest for people over 70. In Thursday night's verdict, involving a huge bribe from oil company SIR to gain a massive settlement from public financial holding company IMI in 1994, the highest court gave Mr. Previti a six-year sentence, one year less than in Mr. Previti's first appeal. Mr. Previti issued a statement on Friday saying he was ``unbowed'' and ``serene in the knowledge that they are sending an innocent man to jail.''

— Xinhua

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Singapore's ruling party secures tenth straight victory
Abbas willing to hold immediate talks with Israel
Sri Lankan army chief recuperating
Khartoum, Darfur rebels sign deal
U.K. helicopter downed by rocket fire in Iraq
Two die in China blasts
Berlusconi aide jailed
Designer steals show
China unveils personal robot for homes
`Water releases at Farakka in accordance with treaty'

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu