Berlusconi fights for political survival Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi vows to fight for his political survival after a court in Milan sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment for soliciting sex from a minor and abusing his position to cover up the affair. Monday's sentence handed down by judges in the so-called "bunga bunga" trial was one year longer than what had been sought by the prosecution. The sentence also included a lifetime ban on holding public office. Berlusconi rejected what he called an "incredible" ruling as "an attempt to eliminate me from political life." But he vowed to "resist against this persecution because I am absolutely innocent and in no way do I want to abandon my struggle to make Italy a truly free and just country." The conviction will not be enforced until appeal proceedings are exhausted - a process that could take years - and could be quashed if the statute of limitations expires beforehand. Berlusconi's lawyer Nicolo Ghedini, who is also a member of his conservative People of Freedom (PDL) party, said the verdict was "very much expected," hinting at the Milan court's alleged bias against the politician. He said the verdict would be appealed. Fabrizio Cicchitto, a senior PDL figure, said judges had "criminalised not just Berlusconi, but also the nine million Italians who had voted for him" in February elections. The three-time premier is a key backer of the grand coalition government led by Prime Minister Enrico Letta. Cicchitto said the PDL would continue supporting the government, despite its anger at the ruling. The centre-left Democratic Party, the other key member of the coalition, simply "took notice" and said it respected "the decisions that the judiciary takes autonomously, whatever they may be." Nicola Morra from the Five Star Movement of comedian Beppe Grillo said the opposition group would insist on holding a vote in the Senate to declare Berlusconi unfit for parliament, because of conflict of interest stemming from his business holdings. The media mogul was convicted for paying for sex in 2010 with Karima El Mahroug, a Moroccan nightclub dancer whose stage name is Ruby the Heart Stealer. While prostitution is legal in Italy, soliciting sex from those under 18 is a crime. Berlusconi, 76, was also found guilty of pressuring Milan police to release El Mahroug from custody after she was held on suspicion of theft. He reportedly told officers she was the niece of then-Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Neither Berlusconi nor El Mahroug was present as the verdict was read out. In a trial that lasted over two years, an all-female court heard that Berlusconi would hold night-time parties where women performed lap dance routines in a special "bunga bunga" room, dressed up as nuns, nurses or public figures such as President Barack Obama. Berlusconi has always maintained his innocence. In summing up for the defence, lawyers stressed that El Mahroug had denied having had sex with the former prime minister, while police officers dismissed claims that they were unduly pressured. The prosecution's case rested on wiretapped conversations and statements made by El Mahroug under interrogation - which she later disowned. A judge also is expected to decide on Thursday whether Berlusconi should face trial on charges of bribing an opposition politician. On the same day, Italy's top appeals court is to consider whether his firm Mediaset should pay a hefty compensation bill to a business rival.