Italy's apex court has upheld Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's acquittal on charges of abuse of office and paying for sex with an underage prostitute.
The Court of Cassation turned down prosecutors' appeals to overturn the acquittal and hold a fresh trial, reported the BBC
Berlusconi was convicted in 2013 in the "bunga bunga" case but appealed against the ruling next year.
The three-time Italian leader is enmeshed in several legal cases. The "bunga bunga" case involved him and a 17-year-old dancer, Karima El-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heartstealer." He was accused of paying for sex with Mahroug, a claim that has been denied by both.
The judges at the Court of Cassation reached the decision after more than nine hours. A written ruling detailing their reasoning is expected to come in the next 90 days.
The ruling will allow Berlusconi free to rally his Forza Italia party as it strives to maintain a leading role in Italian politics.
