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Silvio Berlusconi

ROME. — Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi began his community service for tax fraud yesterday in a spectacular fall from grace for the flamboyant ex-premier, who will likely seek political gain from the symbolic punishment. The billionaire tycoon, who was convicted last year and has been expelled from parliament, has been ordered to work four hours once a week for up to a year helping out in a hospice for Alzheimer’s patients near Milan.

“To prison!” a trade unionist protester in a clown hat shouted as Berlusconi arrived at the clinic with his security detail in a chauffeur-driven car.

The three-time former prime minister wore a navy blue suit with a badge from his Forza Italia party.

The Catholic Church-run hospice in Cesano Boscone has said it will not allow Berlusconi to use his stint for political grandstanding in front of the world’s media and will treat him like any other volunteer.

But Berlusconi’s presence was anything but normal. Volunteers working at the hospice said relatives of patients have been requesting visits for Friday to see Berlusconi and even staff from other departments have been asking for transfers to the Alzheimer’s section. — AFP.