Swiss release Berlusconi papers

Berlusconi took power in June

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The Swiss supreme court has approved Spanish access to bank documents concerning the Italian prime minister.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal announced on Saturday that documents given to Italy in 1998 during an investigation into Silvio Berlusconi's Fininvest company could be passed on to a Spanish investigator, the Associated Press reported.

Judge Balthazar Garzon is seeking the documents in relation to a probe into alleged tax evasion by the Spanish television channel Tele Cinco, part-owned by Berlusconi.

In April 1999, prior to Berlusconi gaining the premiership, Italy asked for Switzerland's approval to forward the documents to Spain.

Switzerland agreed to the request but two offshore companies, All Iberian and Catwell, based in the British Channel Island of Jersey, and an Italian national called Giuseppino Scabini, lodged an appeal.

This was rejected in the latest court decision.

Officials at the presidential palace in Rome declined to comment on the Swiss decision.

Berlusconi, 64, is one of the world's richest men with interests including three private TV networks and holdings in publishing, advertising, insurance, real estate and the AC Milan football team.

Forbes magazine on Friday valued his self-made business empire at some $10 billion.

In June his conservative alliance took office after sweeping to victory in national elections.

A previous seven-month stint as prime minister in 1994 ended when a key coalition ally defected.