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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi branded magistrates "a cancer of democracy" on Monday as he attended a hearing in one of the four trials he faces. "There is something incredible about this whole trial," Berlusconi said during a pause in the hearing of a case in which he is accused of bribing British lawyer David Mills with $600,000 to give false evidence about his business interests, Reuters reported. Berlusconi branded the Mills case "incredible, really surreal," claiming "there is no motive for corruption, no proof that money was paid, nothing," according to AFP. The case was adjourned until Monday, when former Renault Formula 1 team boss Flavio Briatore will appear as a witness. Berlusconi also said accusations had been unfounded in more than 20 other cases brought against him over the years. "If this is not a cancer of democracy you are from another planet," he said. The Italian prime minister faces two other trials for corruption and a fourth for allegedly having sex with an underage belly dancer and then using his office to cover it up. The remarks was made on a day of commemoration for 10 magistrates killed by leftist guerrillas during the so-called "Years of Lead" three decades ago. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano rushed to the defense of the magistrature, saying it had to be treated "with honor." Berlusconi said he would ask Parliament to establish a commission of inquiry into the ethics of magistrates. Agencies |
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