Italy's top court has upheld a jail sentence against former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud.

 

　　The Italian Supreme Court confirmed a four-year jail term and ordered a new appeal trial for a related ban on public office.

 

　　Because of a 2006 amnesty law, three of the four years' sentence will not be effective.

 

　　Alessandro Politi is a political analyst.

 

　　"He has a number of articles in his favour. He is old so he shouldn't go to jail. The worst thing that can happen is that he stays for a certain amount of time at home or assisting some social service but that's all. By the way I would be thrilled to know what he will do."

 

　　The highest court's decision, was the first definitive conviction after up to 30 court cases against the three-time premier since he entered politics some two decades ago.

 

　　Those allegations include tax fraud, corruption and more recently having sex with an under aged prostitute.

 

　　Throughout 12-years of trial, the 76-year-old has denied all charges made against him.