Berlusconi lawyers lament witness list cuts at ex-premier's trial

Jan 31, 2012, 10:45 GMT

Rome - Lawyers representing Silvio Berlusconi in his trial for corruption in Milan on Tuesday said their client's rights were being 'violated' by a decision by magistrates to strike off several defence witnesses from the proceedings.

The decision in December by the magistrates to allow the prosecution request was 'a serious violation of the right to a defence,' of former Italian prime minister Berlusconi, lawyer Niccolo Ghedini told the court.

Berlusconi did not attend Tuesday's hearing.

In the trial, media magnate-turned politician Berlusconi is accused of paying his former tax lawyer, Briton David Mills, 600,000 dollars to provide false evidence about Berlusconi's business activities in a corruption trial dating back to the 1990s.

Prosecutors made the request to have the list of defence witnesses shortened, saying the large number was an attempt by Berlusconi's lawyers to draw out proceedings so that there was no hope of a verdict before the case would have to end because of statute of limitations requirements.

Some legal experts say these could kick in by mid-February.

Following a separate trial, Mills was convicted in absentia in February 2009 of receiving the bribe from Berlusconi. He was later acquitted by Italy's top appeals court.

Both Berlusconi and Mills deny any wrongdoing.

The trial is one of several scandals that have mired Berlusconi's political career. In a separate trial, he is accused of paying an underage prostitute for sex and of abusing his position to cover up the liaison.

Berlusconi resigned as prime minister on November 12.