Karima among 23 indicted (2)

(ANSA) - Milan, October 19 - Karima El Mahroug, the woman at the centre of the 'bunga-bunga' sex-party scandal that hit ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, was among 23 people indicted in Milan on Wednesday over testimony at a previous trial related to the case. They are accused of various charges of corruption in judicial proceedings and giving false testimony. The trial will start January 11. The case against Silvio Berlusconi is being dealt with separately after he was unable to attend a hearing this month because he was in the United States for a checks and treatment after undergoing heart surgery earlier this year.
    The other 22 defendants include Luca Giuliante, the former lawyer of El Mahroug, an ex dancer of Moroccan origin also known as Ruby Heartstealer, journalist Carlo Rossella and Senator Mariarosaria Rossi. In the first trial linked to the case, Berlusconi was convicted of paying Ruby for sex while she was a minor, but was acquitted on appeal on the grounds that there was no proof that the media magnate knew she was under 18 at the time.