European Court of Human Rights dismisses appeal over Berlusconi tax-fraud conviction

The European Court of Human Rights issued a ruling on Thursday, turning down Silvio Berlusconi’s appeal concerning the fairness of his tax-fraud conviction. The Italian former premier had argued that a judge involved in the 2013 Supreme Court decision was biased, citing a media interview and purported hostile comments. The ECHR found no proof that the Court of Cassation’s bench, or its division president, lacked impartiality.

It also rejected Berlusconi’s additional grievances as manifestly unfounded or filed too late. Consequently, the original judgment—upholding the conviction, stripping him of his Senate seat and imposing a ban on public office until 2018—remains unchanged. The heirs continued the legal fight after Berlusconi’s death in 2023, but the European court’s dismissal ends that avenue. The ruling underscores the finality of the Italian courts’ handling of the case.