Silvio Berlusconi in court on fraud charge

Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, 74, appeared in court for the first time in eight years yesterday.

Berlusconi, who faces charges in four separate trials in coming weeks, including one for having sex with an underage prostitute, smiled and waved to supporters gathered outside the Milan tribunal as he left the building.

The hearing, over alleged fraud during the acquisition of television broadcasting rights, was closed to the press and public and was adjourned after roughly two hours, until 4 April.

"It all went well. I will be there at the next hearing," Berlusconi told reporters.

The last time the billionaire media entrepreneur appeared in court was in June 2003.

The constitutional court lifted his immunity from trial this year, exposing him to three corruption and fraud cases. as well as the underage sex accusation.