Lawyers representing Silvio Berlusconi told a trial hearing Friday that the Italian prime minister could possibly appear in court on February 13 or 27 in a corruption case involving the alleged payment of a bribe to British lawyer David Mills.

Earlier, magistrates presiding at the hearing in Milan, accepted lawyers arguments that Berlusconi's failure to appear in court on Friday was due to "legitimate impediment," stemming from the premier's duty of chairing a cabinet meeting in Rome.

The magistrates accepted the February dates proposed by lawyers Niccolo Ghedini and Piero Longo. They also set additional hearing dates for January 15, 29 and 30.

Berlusconi stands accused of bribing a Mills to give false evidence in two other trials in the 1990s. Berlusconi has said he wants to appear in court but his official commitments prevent him from doing so.

Immunity from prosecution

The corruption trial can resume after a law giving the prime minister immunity from prosecution was ruled unconstitutional earlier this year.

Berlusconi is accused of paying British lawyer David Mills 400,000 euros ($600,000) to withhold evidence about the prime minister's business activities.

Mills has already been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison in relation to the accusations but Berlusconi has previously denied even knowing the lawyer.

He has also accused the political opposition and Italy's courts of trying to topple his government.

ca/AFP/AP/Reuters

Editor: Sean Sinico