Lawmakers pass bill beneficial to Berlusconi

ROME - Italy's lower chamber of parliament has approved legislation that would cut the length of trials in Italy and effectively end an ongoing bribery case against Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

While Berlusconi's bribery case may be aided by the bill, it is unclear whether his ongoing sex trial would be affected, as well as another ongoing trial where he stands accused of tax fraud. There are a total of four different court cases currently pending involving Berlusconi.

The lower Chamber of Deputies approved the bill 314-296, amid protests inside and outside the chamber. It now passes to the Senate, where Berlusconi's coalition has a majority.

It's the latest piece of legislation that critics say is tailor-made to suit Berlusconi's interests. The bill approved Wednesday cuts the length of trials for some defendants who haven't been previously convicted.

The measure would effectively end a trial where Berlusconi is accused of bribing British lawyer David Mills to offer false testimony. Berlusconi denies wrongdoing.

The opposition denounced the measure as the latest piece of legislation tailor-made to save Berlusconi. It says it puts at risks several important cases, such as one following a deadly train explosion in 2009.

Supporters of Berlusconi say the measure helps speed up Italy's clogged judicial system.

In addition to bribery, the prime minister is accused of paying for sex with an underage girl known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer" (real name - Karima El Mahroug.)

On Wednesday, two teenage guests from one of his infamous "bunga bunga" parties said topless girls performed oral sex on a statue during erotic games at the Italian prime minister's soiree, and that in general the "dinner parties" were much racier than the premier had been ready to publicly admit, Agence France Presse reports.

"Some of the girls revealed their breasts and offered them to Berlusconi to kiss," one of the girls said. "They touched the prime minister in his private parts and let him touch them."

Milan prosecutors say they have evidence that Berlusconi gave money, gifts and free lodgings to many young women in return for sexual services during his parties, a charge Berlusconi denies.