Italy seeks to try Berlusconi for bribing witnesses in prostitution trials

A combination photo shows file photos of Karima El Mahroug of Morocco posing during a photocall at the Karma disco in Milan November 14, 2010 and Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi waving as he arrives for a meeting of the European People's Party in Brussels June 28, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer (L) and Sebastien Pirlet/Files

MILAN (Reuters) - Milan prosecutors on Thursday asked that four-time Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stand trial for bribing witnesses in a court case in which he was acquitted of paying for sex with an underage Moroccan dancer.

In a statement, prosecutors said the accused are suspected of corrupting judicial proceedings, giving false testimony, and money laundering during two trials concerning lavish parties at Berlusconi's villa near Milan.