Rome (CNN) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is under investigation for allegedly having sex with a teen-ager, say prosecutors in Milan, who are linking the case to prostitution activity.
The teen, identified as night-club dancer Karima El Mahrough and nicknamed Ruby, was 17 at the time of the alleged activity, from February till May.
The Milan prosecutor said Berlusconi is being probed for complicity in prostitution with a minor and abuse of power.
But the premier's attorneys called the investigation "absurd and groundless" and a "grave interference" in Berlusconi's private life.
Milan prosecutors started the investigation of this case in December after the premier called police and urged the teen's release from prison. She had been arrested in May on charges of theft.
Prosecutors have summoned Berlusconi to answer questions in the probe.
They also sent police to search the home of Nicole Minetti, a member of his party and a Lombardy regional council member. CNN
