Rome ( CNN ) -- Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has lashed out at a ruling by the country 's high court that upheld a prison sentence for him in a tax fraud case . In a nine-minute video on Thursday , an indignant and defiant Berlusconi vented his anger over the court 's decision . `` In exchange for the commitments I have made over almost 20 years in favor of my country and coming almost at the end of my public life , I receive as a reward accusations and a verdict that is founded on absolutely nothing , that takes away my personal freedoms and my political rights , '' he said . `` That is how Italy recognizes the sacrifices and commitments of its best citizens ? '' Berlusconi wondered out loud . `` Is this the Italy that we love ? Is this the Italy that we want ? Absolutely not . The high court had said earlier Thursday that it supported a lower court 's four-year prison sentence for Berlusconi . Three years of that sentence are covered in an amnesty aimed at cutting down on prison overcrowding , effectively reducing Berlusconi 's sentence to one year . The high court also ordered a lower court to reconsider whether Berlusconi , 76 , should be banned from public office -- a controversial issue that could play a key role in the country 's political future . A lower court convicted Berlusconi of tax evasion last October , sentencing him to four years in prison and barring him from public office for five years . In May , an Italian appeals court in Milan upheld that decision . The former prime minister ca n't appeal the high court 's decision in the case . But it 's unlikely he 'll spend time behind bars , because of his age and the shortness of the sentence . Berlusconi is a member of Italy 's Senate and therefore enjoys immunity from any type of arrest . The Senate would have to vote to have his immunity lifted in order to serve any sentence . Berlusconi , who served on and off as prime minister between 1994 and 2011 , is one of the most colorful and controversial figures in the lively history of Italian politics . A look at the life of Silvio Berlusconi . For years , he has been entangled in fraud , corruption and sex scandals that have often reached Italian courts . In June , a panel of judges sentenced Berlusconi to seven years in prison for abusing power and having sex with an underage prostitute . Berlusconi 's attorney told reporters he plans to appeal that conviction . Undaunted by the court battles , Berlusconi has not only launched appeals , but in December made two significant announcements : his engagement to 27-year-old Francesca Pascale , and then , his political comeback . In Italy 's February elections , the three-time prime minister appealed to Italian voters by denouncing the unpopular austerity policies of technocrat Mario Monti . For all his critics , Berlusconi won almost 30 % of the vote in February and remains an influential figure in Prime Minister Enrico Letta 's fragile coalition government . CNN 's Becky Anderson , Peter Wilkinson and Paul Armstrong contributed to this report .
Italy : He lambasts a court ruling against him , saying it 's baseless . His tax evasion conviction is upheld , but the impact on his political career is unclear . He is unlikely to serve time behind bars because of his conviction . The high court says a lower court should consider barring him from public office .