Prosecutors, for their part, have asked to hear from 136
witnesses, including the Moroccan teenager at the center of the scandal and 32
other women who allegedly worked as prostitutes during parties at Berlusconi’s
villa, according to Italian news reports.
Both sides presented their lists of witnesses at the Milan
tribunal where the trial opens next week. A judge must now decide which
witnesses to admit.
The 74-year-old Berlusconi is accused of having paid for sex
with the Moroccan, who is known as Ruby and was 17 at the time, and then using
his influence to try to cover it up. The premier denies wrongdoing.
Clooney was listed because Ruby once said she had seen the
Hollywood star and his Italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis at one of
Berlusconi’s parties, according to the law firm representing Berlusconi.
“We want to see if they confirm this fact or not,” said
attorney Piersilvio Cipollotti.
An email sent to Clooney’s representative wasn’t immediately
answered.
Italian newspapers reported months ago that Ruby had said
Clooney, who has a mansion on Lake Como north of Milan, and Canalis were guests
at one of Berlusconi’s parties.
According to a Feb. 22 report in leading Italian newspaper
Corriere della Sera, prosecutors talked with Canalis last month and she denied
that she and Clooney attended any of the premier’s parties.
Berlusconi’s defense also listed Foreign Minister Franco
Frattini and other Cabinet officials amid the 78 people named as witnesses,
Cipollotti said. Mariano Apicella, the Neapolitan composer who performs for
Berlusconi, as well as showgirls and TV personalities who frequented Berlusconi’s
parties were also named, according to the ANSA and LaPresse news agencies.
Ruby, whose real name is Karima el-Mahroug, turned 18 in
November.
Berlusconi is accused of having had several sexual
encounters with her between Valentine’s Day last year through May 2, 2010 in
exchange for money. The premier is also accused of abusing his influence when
he called police in May to get Ruby out of custody in Milan, where she had been
held for an unrelated theft. She was eventually released.
Prosecutors say the premier wanted to keep his sexual
relations with the girl secret. Berlusconi has said he intervened because he
believed Ruby was the niece of now ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and
wanted to prevent a diplomatic incident.
According to news reports, prosecutors have also cited as
witnesses Milan police officials involved in Ruby’s brief detention, as well as
three Berlusconi associates also under investigation in the scandal: an
ex-showgirl and Berlusconi’s dental hygienist recently elected at a local post
with the premier’s party; a TV agent; and TV newscaster and longtime Berlusconi
friend.
Berlusconi says he plans to attend hearings of the trial,
which opens April 6, as much as his official duties allow.
He also faces two other trials and a possible indictment
relating to his business dealings.
