The judges summoned Nicole Minetti as part of a probe into the prime minister's alleged dalliances with under-age prostitutes. -- PHOTO: AFP
ROME - MILAN judges on Sunday questioned a 25-year-old woman accused of helping to recruit underage girls to attend Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's parties, Ansa news agency said.
The judges summoned Nicole Minetti as part of a probe into the prime minister's alleged dalliances with under-age prostitutes.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, they brought forward the session to allow Ms Minetti to escape excessive media attention, Ansa reported, citing her lawyer Daria Pesce. The session lasted two hours, the agency added.
The Milan investigation was sparked by allegations that the prime minister paid to have sex with an underage girl known as Ruby, real name Karima El Mahroug. Both she and Berlusconi have denied the allegations.
When Ruby was arrested last May for alleged theft, Mr Berlusconi is said to have put pressure on police in Milan to release her and place the Moroccan disco dancer in Ms Minetti's custody.
Ms Minetti, a former dental assistant who became a regional councillor for Mr Berlusconi's party in early 2010, has always denied accusations of inciting prostitution and has publicly defended Mr Berlusconi. -- AFP
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