Women hold nationwide anti-Berlusconi protests, say 'Italy is not a brothel'

Rome: Thousands of Italian women turned out across the country to protest against tainted Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, saying his dalliances with young women humiliated sex as a whole.

Thousands of protesters marched through more than sixty towns and cities across the country carrying banners that read, "Italy is not a brothel".

Berlusconi is being investigated for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan nightclub dancer who says he lavished cash and jewellery on her. Both deny they had sex with each other.

He also apparently asked the police to free the girl after she was held in a separate case.

Prosecutors are now trying to gather enough evidence to put the 74-year-old leader on trial. If convicted, Berlusconi could face upto fifteen years in prison.

Supporters of the controversial prime minister and media mogul dismissed Sunday's demonstrations as strictly political.

The premier, who willingly acknowledges his fondness for pretty young women, claims he is being victimized by leftist prosecutors who want to topple him from power.

Rome's Piazza del Popolo was packed with women of all ages, along with their children, husbands or boyfriends.