Mafiosi Berlusconi v judges

Since first coming to power in 1994 Silvio Berlusconi has faced 17 judicial investigations into his complicated business affairs.

The Italian prime minister is one of the country's richest men, with a personal fortune estimated at $12bn.

He is currently facing two trials in Milan.

The first is for allegedly committing tax fraud at his Mediaset SpA television company.

In the second, he is accused of bribing his former British lawyer David Mills - the estranged husband of the British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell - in exchange for allegedly "misleading" testimony in two trials during the 1990s. Both men deny the charges.

Mr Berlusconi has always complained that left-leaning magistrates are conducting a political witch-hunt.

And over the years while in office he has attempted several times to introduce legislation that would protect a serving prime minister from prosecution.

His last attempt, in 2003, failed in the constitutional court.

But now, just two months since winning the Italian election, another bespoke law to protect Mr Berlusconi and his business interests has reappeared.BBC