Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was on Saturday slapped with a two-year ban on holding public office by a Milan court.
The sentence is linked to an August guilty verdict for tax fraud upheld by Italy’s top court. But that court had ruled that the lower chamber needed to reconsider its initial five-year ban on public service.
The verdict also required that Berlusconi serve either a year of house arrest or community service. Berlusconi has opted for community service. He can also appeal against the Milan court’s new ruling.
Berlusconi also faces ejection from the Italian Senate over the guilty verdict. A committee has already recommended he lose his seat.
The full body is expected to weigh in on the matter in the coming weeks.
