Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi prostitute allegations widen

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Italian prosecutors have alleged that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had sex with a "significant number" of young prostitutes.

In a request to search some of Mr Berlusconi's properties, they cited allegations that he had paid the women or given them free use of apartments.

The prosecutors are investigating whether Mr Berlusconi paid to have sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer.

Mr Berlusconi says he has never paid for sex.

The document that emerged on Monday was published on the website of Italy's lower house of parliament.

Prosecutors have to make a request to a parliamentary committee if they want to search the property of a member of parliament.

The document includes allegations that Nicole Minetti, a former dental hygienist of Mr Berlusconi's who is now a regional official, was involved with several others in procuring the young prostitutes for the prime minister.
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Analysis
image of Duncan Kennedy Duncan Kennedy BBC News, Rome

A billionaire prime minister of a major European nation hiring prostitutes and kitting them out with free apartments whilst lavishing money on them? In this socially networked, hyper-covered world of no secrets, it does all seem fanciful that he could get away with it, just as Silvio Berlusconi suggests.

But you get the sense the prosecutors in Milan have got the bit between their teeth on this one. It may need more than a new prime ministerial girlfriend to shake off the investigators this time.

Of course, Silvio Berlusconi's run-ins with Milanese magistrates go back decades. He accuses them of political bias; they say they're just doing their job.

It details claims that a number of young women were put up in apartments in Milano Due, an American-style suburb that Mr Berlusconi built during the 1970s.

Ms Minetti, who is under investigation, has denied the accusations.

Prostitution is not a crime in Italy, but paying for or helping arrange sex with a prostitute under the age of 18 is an offence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12209110​