The case was launched with Swiss investigators and an Italian business publication called Il Sole 24 Ore.

FORBES: Fresh Trouble for Algerian Oil and Gas

Stefano Folli, writing in the financial paper Il Sole 24 Ore , also notes that "Berlusconi is using his usual arguments against the judiciary".

BBC: Italian press writes Berlusconi's political obituary

Italy's leading business daily, Il Sole 24 Ore, which is owned by Confindustria, the businessmen's association, was strikingly reticent in its coverage of the row.

ECONOMIST: Unfit to write about Italy?