Italy PM attacked after ally convicted

ROME, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Italian politicians launched attacks Saturday on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after a close ally of his was convicted of Mafia involvement.

Marcello Dell'Utri, a founding member of Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, was sentenced to nine years in prison, the BBC reported Saturday.

Opposition politicians said the decision proves Berlusconi is unfit to govern and have called for his removal.

The verdict came a day after another Italian court rejected separate charges brought against the prime minister.

"Yesterday, Berlusconi was saved by the skin of his teeth, and today his devoted follower, Marcello Dell'Utri, is sentenced to nine years for Mafia association," said opposition lawmaker Antonio Di Pietro. He said Berlusconi should be removed from office by general elections, not scheduled until 2006.