Italy’s Berlusconi acquitted in Bunga Bunga bribery trial
Al JazeeraNov 28, 2022
The Facts
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted of bribing witnesses to lie about his notorious, and allegedly raunchy, “bunga-bunga” parties. Berlusconi has faced numerous court cases in connection with the parties which he says were elegant dinners.
The former PM-turned-Senator has been under fire for more than a decade over allegations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan dancer named Karima El Mahroug, also known as Ruby.
The Spin
Narrative A
After years of smears and political defamation, justice has been served through Berlusconi’s acquittal. The elderly former PM has suffered greatly and unnecessarily for far too long, and the only question remaining is who will compensate Berlusconi for all he went through.
Narrative B
Berlusconi is a corrupt and sleazy politician who's been mired in scandals for over a decade. Despite always finding a way to escape conviction, there is no doubt that he has at the very least partaken in activities unbecoming of his high office.
