Controversial former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is defiant after losing his appeal on tax fraud charges. The former prime minister has been in and out of the country’s courts for the past three years after allegations of tax fraud emerged from a scandal over the former Prime Minister’s private life.
Berlusconi condemned the verdict in a statement, claiming that the country’s justice system ‘doesn’t know how to be just.’ The billionaire former Prime Minister will not be sentenced to jail time due to his age and the country’s overcrowded prisons, but will likely complete hundreds of hours of community service due to his crimes.
The former leader’s sentence was upheld after his legal team exhausted its appeals, and cannot be appealed any further under Italian law. Berlusconi has promised that he will reform the Italian justice system after he completes his public service due to what he perceives as injustices and corrupt dealings against him.
Berlusconi’s sentencing dealt him four years in jail for his involvement in tax fraud, but he is unlikely to spend any time in prison due to his advanced age. The 76-year-old former leader will likely be placed under house arrest or asked to take part in a series of programs aimed at improving the community.
The leader also faces a five-year ban on holding public office, which is in the process of being reviewed. Berlusconi has been the target of large-scale criminal prosecution for over two decades due to his involvement in Italy’s largest media empire and his controversial tenure as Prime Minister.
As Italy’s richest man, Berlusconi operated a media company that includes some of the country’s most popular television stations and newspapers. His conviction stems from his involvement in offshore slush funds, which prosecutors claim he used to hide hundreds of millions of euros during his time as leader of Italy.
