Source:
BBCAccording to the court's 600-page document, Dell'Utri "carried out... an activity of mediation as a link between the mafia association Cosa Nostra, represented by its most influential representative at the time, Stefano Bontate, and Silvio Berlusconi".
Mafia bosses in turn offered "protection" for Berlusconi, it added.
Dell'Utri "consciously chose to mediate between the interests of the mafia and the business interests of Berlusconi, allowing the criminal group to profit, promoting the consolidation and strengthening of Cosa Nostra".
The judges also said that, before entering politics, Mr Berlusconi paid "enormous sums of money" to Cosa Nostra for protection and later for installing his TV channel's relay stations in Sicily, following a request made by Dell'Utri.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11803697