Court reforms irk opposition leader

ROME, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Italian police stopped an opposition party leader Tuesday who was attaching to Rome's Trevi Fountain signs criticizing Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Gianfranco Mascia, leader of Popolo Viola, said the signs plastered on the monument expressed his hostility to Berlusconi's call for reforming the Constitutional Court, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

Italy's highest court angered the Italian premier last month by striking down a judicial shield law that protected him.

As a result, three corruption trials involving Berlusconi will be allowed to proceed.

A fourth trial set to start in April accuses the Italian premier of involvement with an underage prostitute.

Berlusconi, who denies any wrongdoing, charged he is the victim of politically motivated magistrates seeking his ouster.

He said he plans to reform the court so a two-thirds majority is needed to overturn a law.