( CNN ) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is to be tried on charges of having sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power.. A judge in Milan has ruled a fast-tracked trial before three judges should begin in the city on April 6 . The case is the latest in a long-running series of legal wrangles featuring the scandal-plagued politician and billionaire media mogul . What is Berlusconi accused of ? Prosecutors allege that Berlusconi paid for sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer , Karima El Mahrough , nicknamed Ruby . They also claim he abused his position when he intervened to get her released from the jail where she was being held on charges of theft . In Italy , the age of consent is 14 , and it is not illegal to pay for sex . However , paying for sex with a minor ( under 18 ) is a crime , and can be punished by up to three years in jail . Berlusconi has said the dancer had been introduced as a 24-year-old . Is this the only legal issue facing Berlusconi ? No . The 74-year-old Italian PM , currently serving his third term in office , also faces charges of bribing British lawyer David Mills to secure favorable testimony in legal cases . His trial , suspended last spring after he was granted temporary immunity , resumes next month . Mills denied receiving bribes and his conviction in the case was overturned last year . He has survived a series of political , corruption and sex scandals over the years , involving allegations of embezzlement , tax fraud and bribery . Berlusconi has been tried on at least 17 charges since he was first elected prime minister in 1994 , but none of the cases have resulted in lasting convictions ; several were overturned on appeal . He has always denied any wrongdoing , and had previously claimed immunity from prosecution , though a 2008 law granting him this was overturned the following year . How has he reacted to the claims ? Berlusconi insists he has never paid for sex -- `` not even once in my life '' -- and says any suggestion he did so is `` degrading for my dignity . '' Both he and El Mahrough , who is now 18 , deny ever having had sex with one another . But the young woman 's former roommate told investigators that El Mahrough confided to her that she did have a sexual relationship with the premier . Berlusconi says he did call the police on El Mahrough 's behalf , but denies this was an abuse of power . The billionaire media magnate and football club owner says the allegations against him are simply political mudslinging . His lawyers have called the investigation `` absurd and groundless '' and a `` grave interference '' in Berlusconi 's private life . So what happens now ? Judge Cristina di Censo has ruled that Berlusconi should face trial on the two charges -- having sex with an underage prostitute , and abuse of power . The court case , before three judges , is due to begin in Milan on April 6 . Berlusconi 's lawyers have previously argued that courts in Milan do not have jurisdiction in the case -- because of where the alleged crimes were committed -- or the authority to try a prime minister . Has the scandal damaged Berlusconi 's reputation ? Yes and no . Long-running scandals , a playboy lifestyle and a series of well-publicized gaffes have opened the Italian PM up to ridicule . There are signs Italians are tiring of the constant focus on his personal indiscretions , and many doubt the situation will improve . `` Should he resign ? They all should resign ; we are a joke . It is the country of jokes , '' Fedrica , a 22-year-old coffee shop assistant in Rome told CNN recently . Thousands of Italians took to the streets in cities across the country -- and in Tokyo and Geneva -- on February 12 in protest at Berlusconi 's alleged behaviour towards women . A poll in the Italian daily newspaper , Corriere della Sera , found 56 percent of those questioned no longer want Berlusconi as PM . A TV poll found 61 percent felt he should resign , but 59 percent believed the government would continue as it is until its mandate ends in 2013 . Berlusconi has survived two votes of no confidence in recent months , and while his personal approval ratings have been dented , his party , the People of Freedom , still enjoys widespread support in Italy .
Prosecutors claim Berlusconi paid for sex with 17-year-old nightclub dancer . Berlusconi's lawyer says he will appeal the verdict and is considering legal action against prosecutors. Berlusconi investigated on at least 17 charges since he was first elected in 1994 .