Moroccan woman at centre of Berlusconi trial arrives in court to testify as a witness

Описание: (14 Jan 2013)
1. Wide of Karima el-Mahroug, also known as Ruby, getting out of car surrounded by media, zoom in to Ruby
2. Mid el-Mahroug walking up stairs and entering court building
3. Mid of el-Mahroug inside courtroom
4. Mid of court officials
5. Mid of lawyer entering courtroom and speaking to el-Mahroug
6. Close of journalist on phone
7. Mid of el-Mahroug and lawyer
8. Wide exterior of court building with police vehicle parked outside
9. Mid of police van
10. Mid of people passing policemen
11. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Enza Maglione, Milan resident:
"I think that what will come out from this trial is very similar to what we've heard before. I think that everything is true, that these parties have taken place."
12. Various of Italian newspaper front pages
13. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Rosita (no last name given), Milan resident:
"I have no words to describe my feelings on the whole event and the many other events that are similar to this."
14. Mid of police and people walking down street
15. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Alessandro (no last name given), Milan resident:
"I don't think it's right that he runs again for the general election. About the trial, the judge will decide but I think it would be better he would not run."
16. Mid of police at entrance gate to court building
STORYLINE:
The Moroccan woman at the centre of former Premier Silvio Berlusconi's sex-for-hire trial has arrived in court to testify as a witness for the first time on Monday while defence lawyers sought to shut down the trial because of Italy's election campaign.
Karima el-Mahroug was ordered by the court to appear after failing to show on two previous dates, reportedly because she was in Mexico on vacation.
She has been called as a defence witness.
El-Mahroug struggled through a throng of photographers in order to enter the court building.
Wearing a dark parka with fur trim and carrying a fashionable Louis Vuitton handbag, she looked relaxed in the courtroom as she chatted with her lawyer.
Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with el-Mahroug, better known as Ruby, when she was 17, and then trying and cover it up.
Both deny sexual contact.
El-Mahroug is the last witness due to testify, meaning that a verdict could come before the February 24-25 elections in which Berlusconi is heading a centre-right coalition.
But Berlusconi's defence lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini, filed a motion to suspend the proceeding, citing the demands of the election campaign.
The prosecution opposed the request, saying the trial regards Berlusconi private life.
The Milan court fined the Moroccan woman 500 Euro (650 US dollars) on December 17th, 2012 for failing to appear as a witness twice at the former premier's trial.
Italian law does not carry particularly strict penalties against witnesses who fail to appear, and in some cases the court may decide their participation is not essential.
Prosecutors are scheduled to give their closing arguments on January 28th, followed by the defence on February 4th.


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