Berlusconi veroorzaakt ophef door uitspraken Tsjetsjenië (en)

Italy's controversial Prime Minister and current head of the EU Presidency, Silvio Berlusconi, has sparked fresh outrage by openly backing the Russian government's actions in Chechnya.

Speaking at the close of an EU-Russia summit, Mr Berlusconi blamed the media for distorting the truth about what was really happening in Chechnya and backed Mr Putin's claim that he is defending his country against international terrorists.

"I'm acting as President Putin's defence lawyer here, even though he hasn't asked me to", Mr Berlusconi said at a joint news conference, according to the BBC.

"In Chechnya, there has been terrorist activity that has produced many attacks against Russian citizens and there has never been an equivalent response from the Russian Federation".

EU leaders reacted with dismay at Mr Berlusconi's latest controversial outburst.

President Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission and the main political rival of Mr Berlusconi's, said, "It's clear that our information makes us, as always, concerned [over Chechnya]".

EU external affairs commissioner Chris Patten said that neither he, nor others in Europe, would agree with Mr Berlusconi.

Human rights groups have repeatedly provided evidence of gross human rights violations in Chechnya.