Italian former Premier Silvio Berlusconi waves to reporters as he leaves after attending a meeting with the People of Freedom party's lawmakers at the Lower Chamber in Rome, Friday, Aug. 2, 2013. Italy's former premier, Silvio Berlusconi, for the first time in decades of criminal prosecutions related to his media empire was definitively convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to prison by the nation's highest court, Judge Antonio Esposito, in reading the court's decision Thursday, declared Berlusconi's conviction and four-year prison term "irrevocable." He also ordered another court to review the length of a ban on public office ? the most incendiary element of the conviction because it threatens to interrupt, if not end, Berlusconi's political career. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
Italian former Premier Silvio Berlusconi waves to reporters as he leaves after attending a meeting with the People of Freedom party's lawmakers at the Lower Chamber in Rome, Friday, Aug. 2, 2013. Italy's former premier, Silvio Berlusconi, for the first time in decades of criminal prosecutions related to his media empire was definitively convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to prison by the nation's highest court, Judge Antonio Esposito, in reading the court's decision Thursday, declared Berlusconi's conviction and four-year prison term "irrevocable." He also ordered another court to review the length of a ban on public office ? the most incendiary element of the conviction because it threatens to interrupt, if not end, Berlusconi's political career. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
Italian former Premier Silvio Berlusconi waves to reporters as he leaves after attending a meeting with the People of Freedom party's lawmakers at the Lower Chamber in Rome, Friday, Aug. 2, 2013. Italy's former premier, Silvio Berlusconi, for the first time in decades of criminal prosecutions related to his media empire was definitively convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to prison by the nation's highest court, Judge Antonio Esposito, in reading the court's decision Thursday, declared Berlusconi's conviction and four-year prison term "irrevocable." He also ordered another court to review the length of a ban on public office ? the most incendiary element of the conviction because it threatens to interrupt, if not end, Berlusconi's political career. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
ROME (AP) ? Top Silvio Berlusconi aides are maneuvering to win a presidential pardon so the ex-premier can avoid a prison term and ban on holding office, with one loyalist warning of possible "civil war" unless punishment for his tax-fraud conviction is lifted.
Renato Brunetta, a leader of Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, said Saturday he and another aide requested a meeting with Italy's president, who can issue pardons. Separately, longtime Berlusconi loyalist Sandro Bondi said Italy risks "civil war" if the 76-year-old media mogul isn't spared punishment.
A law to reduce prison overcrowding slashes Berlusconi's four-year sentence to one year. Since he is over 70, he can choose house confinement or perform social services in lieu of prison.
Premier Enrico Letta's fragile coalition risks collapse if Berlusconi's party withdraws support.
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