Italians shocked at royal role in sex scandal

Jun 17, 2006, 17:07 GMT

Rome - News that Prince Victor Emmanuel, the son of Italy's last king, has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a prostitution ring has left Italy reeling in shock.

The shockwaves are likely to reach Bulgaria as it became apparent Saturday that a former Bulgarian monarch is also believed to have had a role in the sordid affair.

Hot on the heels of Viktor Emmanuel's arrest, Italian state television reported details of King Simeon II's involvement. The former Bulgarian king served as his country's prime minister between 2001 and 2005 and is a cousin of the Italian prince.

'Gaming machines, business and sex, he was the leader,' screamed the headline from Saturday's edition of Corriere della Sera.

In total a dozen people have been detained, or are under house arrest, as part of the investigation into a prostitution service at a Swiss-based casino.

Another dozen are reportedly being investigated, including the spokesperson for Italy's former foreign minister Gianfranco Fini.

The scandal centres on an investigation by prosecutors in the southern city of Potenza into Victor Emmanuel's role in the procurement of prostitutes for clients of a casino in Campione D'Italia, Switzerland's Italian enclave.

Allegations of money laundering involving the illegal purchase of gaming machines from Libya and Russia are also being examined, according to the Corriere della Sera report.

Victor Emmanuel, 69, was arrested Friday evening in the northern Italian city of Lecco. The prince's son, Emanuele Filiberto. described himself as 'totally stunned' at his father's arrest. 'They treated him like a bandit,' he said.

Following his arrest Victor Emmanuel was transported by police escort the length of the country to Potenza where he is currently being held.

'He is doing well,' said a spokesperson for the House of Savoy, Italy's exiled royal family.

There are however reported to be problems obtaining medication in Potenza required by the prince for unspecified health problems. His son, Emanuele, has threatened to go on hunger strike.

News of Victor Emmanuel's arrest has hit Italy like a bomb - On many newscasts it has even booted reports from Italy's World Cup squad into second place.

The prince first returned to Italy four years ago, after 56 years in exile, with his wife Marina Doria and son. His father, King Umberto II, was forced into exile after World War II over the monarchy's support for Mussolini.

His departure ended Italy's long- running royal rule.

Meanwhile Victor Emmanuel's detention has caused a crisis in political circles, with Italy's Christian Democrats insisting that the country has damaged its reputation by arresting a royal.

The exiled prince is no stranger to controversy and has already been on trial for murder.

The charges related to an incident in 1978 on the Greek island of Corsica in which Victor Emmanuel accidentally killed a German student.

He is reported to have fired a shot during the course of an argument with a so-called playboy, missing his intended victim, but killing the young German man nearby.

In 1991, however, when the case went to trial in Paris, the court found him guilty only on charges of illegally possessing a weapon and sentenced him to six months in prison with probation.

At the time the dead man's parents spoke of an 'insult and farce.'