Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's trial on charges of sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power opened in Milan and was promptly adjourned by judges.
Mr Berlusconi did not attend the preliminary hearing and the adjournment, to 31 May, had been widely expected.
The twice-divorced 74-year-old has made no secret of his love for beautiful young women. However, he denies having sex last year with then 17-year-old nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug - better known as 'Ruby the Heart Stealer'.
Mr Berlusconi has laughed off the charges, which he describes as 'absurd'.
The Prime Minister also says he ensured she was released from police custody after she was detained for theft in order to avoid a diplomatic incident. He thought she was the niece of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, he claims.
Ms Mahroug, who has denied having sex with Mr Berlusconi, was also absent from today's hearing, which came after months of wire taps by prosecutors in Milan that have been splashed across Italian tabloids.
The underage sex charge carries a maximum sentence of three years, while the abuse of power accusation is punishable by up to 12 years in prison.
The billionaire tycoon is no stranger to the dock after years of investigations and trials linked to his business interests. However, this case will be the first time that his personal life is exposed in court.
His popularity rating has been hit, plunging to a new record low of 33% in March, according to a poll by Italy's IPR Marketing Institute.
Yesterday, Mr Berlusconi's coalition in parliament approved a motion that challenges the prerogative of the court in Milan to try the prime minister, indicating the case should be heard by a special court for ministers.
The vote was non-binding and will not halt the trial, but opens the way for the Constitutional Court to consider the matter.
It was branded as 'shameful' and 'unconstitutional' by the opposition.
