Berlusconi says arresting him would incite revolution in Italy

Yahoo News

Reuters – Thu, 12 Dec, 2013

1. Photo By � STRINGER Italy / Reuters/Reuters Thu, 12 Dec, 2013

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reacts as he attends a rally to launch the "Forza Silvio" (Go Silvio) club in downtown Rome December 8, 2013. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

PARIS (Reuters) - Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who lost parliamentary immunity when he was expelled from the Senate last month, said on Thursday revolution would break out if he were arrested and thrown in prison.

The 77-year-old media magnate was stripped of his Senate seat after he was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to four years in jail. This was commuted to a year, likely to be spent performing community service.
But without parliamentary protection, he is now more vulnerable in other criminal cases where he is accused of offences including political bribery. He is also appealing against a conviction for abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor.
In an interview with France's Europe 1 radio, when asked if he was afraid of arrest, he replied: "No, I'm sure they cannot, otherwise there will be a revolution in Italy."

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The Telegraph

Silvio Berlusconi threatens 'revolution' if he is jailed

Silvio Berlusconi says he is not afraid but says it will be difficult to put him in jail in Italy

Silvio Berlusconi was speaking on France's Europe 1 radio Photo: Rex Features

By Natasha Clark

11:48AM GMT 12 Dec 2013

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's former prime minister, has claimed that there would be a "revolution" in Italy if he was jailed for tax fraud.

In an interview with France's Europe 1 radio, he was asked if he was afraid of arrest. "No, I am sure they cannot, otherwise there will be a revolution in Italy."

"It will be difficult to put me in prison," he said in an interview, which was pre-recorded at his home in Rome. "And above all, as I am quite old, I am not afraid of anything."

He also denied rumours that he would leave the country.

"I love my country. I cannot end my role of a patriot and a statesman by fleeing my country," he said.

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