Berlusconi's Trial Resumes In Italy

COLLEEN BARRY

MILAN (AP) — The trial of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on a tax fraud charge reopened Monday after a year, but was immediately adjourned until January to allow the premier to attend.

The premier was busy with a global food summit in Rome and did not attend the hearing in a Milan courtroom. His lawyers said Berlusconi is unavailable for the trial due to his engagements as premier until Jan. 18.

Berlusconi has declared his intention to attend the trial since Italy's highest court last month threw out as unconstitutional an immunity law shielding Berlusconi and other top officials from trial while in office.

"On the 18th, if there are witnesses or defendants or something substantial, (Berlusconi) will be there," defense lawyer Nicolo Ghedini said. "And if not, he will send his defense lawyers and we won't ask for delays for official business."

Ghedini is spearheading legislation that would cap the length of certain trials to six years, which if successful is widely expected to shut down the Mediaset trial and one other awaiting Berlusconi in Milan.