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MILAN, Italy, March 28 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, calling himself the "most indicted man in history," appeared in court Monday in one of four criminal trials he faces. Berlusconi, saying prosecutors are pursuing trumped-up charges, has denied any wrongdoing. Three of the proceedings are for alleged corruption and one is on accusations he paid an underage prostitute for sex, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
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The preliminary hearing in Milan Monday was in advance of an expected trial into tax fraud on broadcasting rights traded by a unit of Berlusconi's Mediaset media empire, Mediatrade.
"The accusations are groundless and ridiculous," Berlusconi said before entering the courthouse. "I'm the most indicted man in history and in the universe. I've already stood 24 trials, all of which ended with acquittals."
Berlusconi also faces a corruption trial for other alleged offenses at Mediaset.
In addition, he is to be tried for allegedly bribing British tax lawyer David Mills for favorable testimony in a previous case.
A trial on allegations he paid to have sex with Moroccan belly dancer Karima el-Mahroug before she was 18 years old is scheduled to start April 6.
