A former Milan police chief has been questioned by prosecutors amid allegations of abuse of power by Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi.
The allegations centre around a teenage girl, who was released from a police cell following the intervention of the prime minister.
Mr Berlusconi has denied any improper conduct with the girl, known as Ruby, saying he simply took pity on her.
But he is facing mounting media pressure and calls for his resignation.
RunawayVincenzo Indolfi, who was commander at the Milan police station at the time Ruby was taken in, was questioned for about an hour on Monday by the prominent investigator Ilda Boccassini, the Italian news agency Ansa reported.
Mr Indolfi has been reported as insisting that his station "followed procedures" when, having arrested Ruby on suspicion of stealing 3,000 euros (£2,600), it released her after taking a call from the prime minister's office.
Italian media have reported that Mr Berlusconi called the station in person, asking for her release, and claiming (incorrectly) that she was the granddaughter of the president of Egypt.
On her arrest, Ruby, a 17-year-old Moroccan-Sicilian runaway, had allegedly claimed to know Mr Berlusconi, and reported attending his villa for parties, where sex games took place.
She said he had taken her under his wing and, after hearing of her troubles, gave her a 7,000-euro gift. She says they did not have sex.
BBC News
