Prosecutors seek jail for Berlusconi

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Source: correspondents in Rome

PROSECUTORS in Milan today sought a five-year prison sentence on appeal for former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, accused of bribing judges.

"Mr Berlusconi was the driving force in this case," said prosecutor Piero De Petris, according to the ANSA news agency.

Mr Berlusconi, accused of bribing judges to prevent the takeover of food company SME by his business rival Carlo de Benedetti in 1985, benefited from attenuating circumstances when he was acquitted in December 2004.

State lawyer Domenico Salvemini, saying "the law is equal for everyone", is seeking reparations of €1.1 million ($1.82 million) in the case.

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