Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi hospitalized for the third time this year. The Italian media, citing his doctors, write that this is a planned examination of a politician for leukemia.
"Silvio Berlusconi is currently admitted to the San Raffaele Hospital for routine tests due to a known hematological pathology," his doctors said in a statement.
Berlusconi was hospitalized on March 27 for three days for tests related to heart problems. He was also taken to intensive care on April 5 due to severe shortness of breath and remained in the hospital for 45 days. Doctors confirmed that he was being treated for chronic leukemia during this stay. On May 19, Berlusconi was discharged from a Milan hospital after being treated for a lung infection linked to a previously unknown case of chronic leukemia. He had previously received chemotherapy.
Berlusconi is the leader of the Forza Italia party. According to the Italian media, he has no successor. Now the ex-premier is on trial for bribery of witnesses, the prosecutor's office requested six years in prison for him. Berlusconi, according to investigators, was involved in bribing witnesses who were involved in the Ruby case. Moroccan dancer Karima al-Marug (Ruby), along with other girls, took part in parties at Berlusconi's villa in Arkor, during which the politician himself and his guests used the services of prostitutes, including minors. Ruby herself was 17 at the time.
Charges were brought against 29 defendants, including Berlusconi, Ruby and 19 other girls. They are asked to impose a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, as well as fines totaling almost 11 million euros (5 million of which Ruby will have to pay). During the accusatory speech, the prosecutor said that Berlusconi had created a "network of sexual slavery."
