Berlusconi tax fraud trial resumes

A tax fraud trial involving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resumed Monday in his absence. Berlusconi has been asked to answer accusations that his Mediaset business empire engaged in a fraud to make its revenues appear smaller than they were.

Reuters / Tony Gentile

The prosecution alleges the group built up an overseas fund to reduce its tax liabilities in Italy.

The case was suspended in April last year following the adoption of a law granting Berlusconi impunity from prosecution for 18 months.

But in mid-January the Constitutional Court stripped him of automatic immunity.

Berlusconi is also due to go on trial in April over accusations that he had sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power.