Berlusconi tax fraud hearing continues

Prosecutors are arguing for fraud charges against Premier Silvio Berlusconi in what would be his fourth ongoing trial.

Berlusconi last week attended the preliminary hearing in the so-called Mediatrade case, but skipped a session Monday to travel to Tunisia in an effort to stop a flood of migrants to Italy.

The premier's trial on charges of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and then using his influence to cover it up begins Wednesday. Berlusconi's lawyers say the premier also will skip the opening session of that trial.

At least two more dates are scheduled in the Mediatrade case before a judge decides whether to indict the premier for allegedly overpaying for TV rights. Berlusconi denies all wrongdoing and accuses politically motivated judges of trying to oust him.