Supporters of Silvio Berlusconi held a rally in northern Italy on Saturday to protest a court's decision to uphold a tax fraud conviction against the former prime minister, dpa reported. The rally took place in the northern city of Berscia where Berlusconi's People of Freedom party was convening. Opponents of Berlusconi were also present, sparking minor confrontations with his supporters. A Milan appeals court this week upheld an October ruling that sentenced the 76-year-old to four years' in jail; banned him from holding public office for five years; and excluded him from managerial positions in private companies for three years. Berlusconi can appeal a second time before the Court of Cassation. However, if the guilty verdict were to be upheld again before the statute of limitation runs out in mid-2014, he would be stripped of his parliamentary seat and would have to serve his sentence. Berlusconi may have another escape clause: the Court of Cassation is due to rule by June on another appeal brought forward by his defence on a point of technicality that - if successful - may require the first instance trial to start again. -- SPA 21:02 LOCAL TIME 18:02 GMT تغريد
