Analyst expects Berlusconi media response

ROME, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will likely use his media industry influence to defend himself against criminal charges, an Italian media analyst says.

Fabrizio Perretti said Berlusconi could use his Mediaset/Medusa TV-movie conglomerate to offer his own take on the bribery and cost falsification allegations he faces, Variety reported Friday.

"Right now we are expecting Berlusconi's media counterattack," Perretti said. "There will be a point at which he wants to write a new chapter in this story, with the same narrative as the previous ones. Namely: He is being attacked by enemies ... and his enemies are the bad guys."

The prime minister is accused of bribing British tax lawyer David Mills to offer false testimony in a case involving an alleged slush fund. Berlusconi is also accused of taking part in a scheme intended to falsify TV rights' costs when dealing with U.S. studios, Variety said.

The comments from Perretti come after Italy's Constitutional Court ruled last week that Berlusconi does not enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office.