Italy's Top Court Upholds Berlusconi Acquittal

Italy's highest court has upheld the acquittal of Silvio Berlusconi on charges that he paid for sex with an under-age dancer and then used his influence to cover it up.

Judges at the Court of Cassation in Rome issued the ruling after nine hours of deliberation on Tuesday, ending the scandal which surrounded the billionaire media tycoon's infamous "bunga bunga" parties.

It could also allow the 78-year-old to return to Italian politics.

Berlusconi completed a community service order for tax fraud last week. Prosecutors are investigating him for allegedly paying off witnesses during the "bunga bunga" case and he is on trial in Naples for alleged political corruption.

He was convicted in 2013 by a lower court and sentenced to seven years in prison and a lifetime ban from holding public office.

But an appeals court overturned that verdict in 2014 . Tuesday's ruling confirms that decision.

Michaela Andresano, defence lawyer, said: "It's a great success. The court accepted our arguments and rejected the prosecutors' appeal."

Prosecutors had alleged that Berlusconi paid Karima el Mahroug, known as Ruby, for sex while she was under-age and then intervened in 2010 to get her released by police when she was arrested on suspicion of theft. Both denied having sex.

The high court will issue a written ruling detailing its decision within 90 days.