ECHR starts examining appeal agst office (3)

(ANSA) - Brussels, July 11 - The European Court of Human Rights on Monday began a preliminary assessment of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's appeal against his ban from holding public office following a tax-fraud conviction under a 2012 law named after then justice minister Paola Severino. The ECHR's justices are being asked to see if the appeal is admissible, and then to assess the merits of the appeal after the sides present their cases. The appeal has been conveyed to the Italian government so it can present its arguments, sources said.
    If is admits the appeal, the ECHR will eventually examine Berlusconi's argument that he had been denied a fair trial in the case.
    Centre-right Forza Italia (FI) leader Berlusconi has voiced confidence the ECHR's approval of his appeal against his August 2013 tax-fraud conviction will boost his comeback from recent heart surgery.
    The three-time former premier and media tycoon was sentenced to four years in prison for masterminding a tax-dodging strategy by his Mediaset company, commuted to one year of community service which he began serving in May 2014.
    As a result of the conviction, Berlusconi also lost his seat in the Senate and cannot vote nor stand for election.
    The former premier was ousted from Parliament under the 2012 Severino Law that prevents anyone sentenced to over two years from holding or running for public office for at least six years.
    His ECHR appeal focuses on the argument that Italy violated European legislation by applying the 2012 law retroactively, thus imposing a harsher penalty than was applicable at the time of the crime for which he was convicted.
    Berlusconi remains a highly influential member of Italy's centre right.
    The ECHR's rulings are binding on the Council of Europe member States, including Italy.