Berlusconi fails to win delay in sex trial

MILAN, Italy, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Lawyers for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi failed Monday in a bid to suspend his sex trial until a dispute on jurisdiction is decided in February.

The lawyers had asked the court of Milan to suspend his trial until Feb. 15, pending a decision on a jurisdictional dispute by the Constitutional Court, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Berlusconi is accused of having sex with an underage prostitute nicknamed Ruby, then using his official powers to try to cover it up.

Berlusconi argues he was performing his official duties when he called a Milan police station where Ruby was detained on an unrelated theft allegation because he believed she was the niece of then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and wanted to avoid an international incident.

ANSA said Berlusconi's People of Freedom party argued prosecutors should not proceed with the trial because of parliamentary votes to have a special tribunal for ministers decide the matter.

As a result, his lawyers and political supporters argue, the case should be tried by a special ministerial court and not by the Milan court.

The prime minister is accused of extortion and prostitution.