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Protesters ridicule Italy’s Berlusconi

Protesters ridicule Italy's Berlusconi
Former Italian prime minister has clashed verbally with protesters, who whistled at and booed him, as he entered the parliament.

The incident happened on Saturday when Silvio Berlusconi arrived at the assembly to vote in an election for speaker of the Senate.

Dozens of protesters called out “Buffone! Buffone! (Clown)” as Berlusconi passed by the crowd.

Former Italian prime minister however answered by calling them stupid fools.

The 76-year-old former prime minister has become increasingly unpopular as he is facing legal problems with two trials due this month as well as a separate probe over accusations of political bribery in 2006.

Judges granted on Saturday Berlusconi’s plea to delay a hearing due to the Senate vote. The hearing, which has been postponed to the following Saturday, is part of his appeal against a four-year prison sentence for tax fraud linked to his Mediaset broadcasting empire.

Furthermore, Berlusconi is due in court later this month on sexual charges involving an underage prostitute. The final ruling is expected on March 25, 2013.

On March 7, the billionaire tycoon was sentenced to one year in prison over the publication of leaked transcripts from a police wiretap in 2005.

The scandal-tainted Berlusconi has long been accused of among others buying votes, bribing lawmakers as well as committing acts of corruption.

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