Berlusconi corruption case in 7 courts

(ANSA) - Milan, April 29 - A preliminary hearing judge on Friday divided proceedings in a witness corruption case for ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi and 30 others among seven courts across Italy.
    Berlusconi and 23 other defendants will be heard in Milan.
    Meanwhile, courts in Rome, Monza, Pescara, Treviso, Siena, and Turin will handle hearings for the seven remaining defendants.
    Many of the defendants were witnesses in an earlier case regarding allegations that Berlusconi paid for sex with a then-underage prostitute called Ruby, a Moroccan whose real name is Karima El Mahroug, during 'Bunga Bunga' parties at his Arcore home near Milan.
    The media magnate was eventually cleared of those charges on the grounds that there was no proof he knew Ruby was underage.
    El Mahroug is among several women now facing trial on charges of taking bribes to keep mum about the sex parties in the original case.
    Berlusconi is accused of having paid "over 10 million euros" for their silence.