Berlusconi former aide arrested for mafia tiesMay 8, 2014 - 12:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Anti-Mafia prosecutors say they have arrested a former Silvio Berlusconi aide for allegedly helping a southern Italian businessman convicted of Mafia association. Authorities on Thursday, May 8, arrested Claudio Scajola, a minister in Berlusconi's last government, on suspicion of having helped Amedeo Matacena, who also was a lawmaker from Berlusconi's party, flee abroad to escape a five-year jail sentence after his conviction was finalized last year. Italian news agency ANSA said Scajola was arrested in a luxury Rome hotel. Berlusconi said he was "pained" by Scajola's arrest. Scajola resigned in 2010 as industry minister amid allegations that he paid far below market value for a luxury apartment overlooking the Colosseum in Rome. He was later acquitted of wrongdoing. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |