Italy: Berlusconi protests innocence in wake of court ruling Silvio Berlusconi has come out fighting, after Italy's highest court upheld his jail sentence for tax fraud. From his residence in Rome, he said the sentence was unfounded and vowed to push for judicial reforms. The 76-year-old former prime minister added that he has been the target of persecution by magistrates ever since entering politics two decades ago. "Nobody can understand the amount of aggression that I have received after a series of charges and processes that have no basis in reality," said Berlusconi. This is real judicial harassment that has no equal in the civilized world.We must continue our fight for freedom. Berlusconi's judicial woes are not over yet. In a separate case, he is appealing a jail term and public office ban after being convicted of paying for sex with an under-age teen and then forcing public officials to cover it up. More about: Financial scandal, Italian politics, Italy, Justice, Silvio Berlusconi, Trial