El-Mahroug

Until Nov. 1, when El Mahroug turned 18, the press carefully pixilated part of her face in an attempt to protect the privacy of a minor.

The alleged prostitute is Karima el-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the heart-stealer" , the runaway daughter of a Moroccan immigrant.

Ms el-Mahroug's lawyer told the court that she would not be joining herself to the case or seeking damages from the prime minister.

Asked at the end of her interview what she saw in her future, El Mahroug answered, "I'll tell the truth: marriage. "

Ms el-Mahroug was said to have told the prosecutors about parties at the prime minister's villa, near Milan, involving numerous women.

Mr Berlusconi's lawyers have signalled that they intend to argue Ms el-Mahroug is older than indicated on official documents.

Ms el-Mahroug, who had several times escaped from care homes, was taken to a Milan police station accused of theft.

Prosecutors have named Ms. El Mahroug as an 'injured party' in the trial.

Perhaps surprisingly, El Mahroug may be the one person who has come out ahead from the scandal.

A lawyer for Ms. El Mahroug, Paola Boccardi, said her client wouldn't seek civil damages against Mr. Berlusconi.

Prosecutors say the young woman, whose real name is Karima El Mahroug, was 17 years old at the time she visited his home.