Reports: Berlusconi seeks to postpone fraud trial

Italian news reports say Premier Silvio Berlusconi is seeking to postpone the resumption of his fraud trial in Milan.

Berlusconi is accused of tax fraud in a trial over his broadcaster Mediaset's purchase of TV rights. The premier denies wrongdoing.

The trial had been frozen thanks to a law granting immunity to Berlusconi while in office. But the legislation was overturned last month because it violates the constitution, paving the way for the trial to resume.

A hearing was scheduled Nov. 16.

But Berlusconi's lawyers say the premier won't be able to attend the hearing because of a world food summit in Rome then, according to the Apcom news agency.

Both Apcom and the ANSA news agency say the request was made to the Milan tribunal.