Anti-Gay Italian Prime Minister Indicted On Charge Of Hiring Teen Prostitute

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been indicted on accusations that he hired an underage prostitute and then later intervened in her arrest on theft charges.

Granting a request by Milan magistrates, Judge Cristina Di Censo said the first hearing would take place on April 6, in a move that brings a long-running probe into the premier's private life to a head. Following the announcement, the prime minister's camp reiterated its claims that Berlusconi was the victim of a witch hunt by his political opponents. "We didn't expect anything else," his lawyers said. Berlusconi, whose bedroom antics sparked a nationwide protest by Italian women on the weekend, will be tried by three female judges. In the trial, the prime minister will have to answer allegations that he paid for sex with a nightclub dancer called "Ruby the Heart Stealer," who was 17 at the time. He is also accused of persuading police to release Ruby after she was arrested for alleged theft, and hand her over to Nicole Minetti, the prime minister's former dental hygienist and a regional representative for his party.

In November, Berlusconi dismissed criticism of his "appreciation" for underage girls, saying, "At least I'm not a homo." Ironically, it is a homo who is thought to be the front-runner to replace him.