The charges against Berlusconi, which he denies, include paying for sex with el Mahroug, better known under her stage name ‘Ruby the Heartstealer’, when she was a minor. She has always denied having sex with the 76-year-old billionaire during the now-notorious ‘bunga bunga’ evenings at his villa outside Milan.

Not a prostitute: Dancer Karima El-Mahroug stands with a banner reading ‘I want to defend myself against lies and prejudice’ in front of Milan's courthouse as she protests against the trial of former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi. Pic/AFP