Italian prosecutors have alleged that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had sex with a "significant number" of young prostitutes.
In a request to search some of Mr Berlusconi's properties, they cited allegations that he had paid the women or given them free use of apartments.
The prosecutors are investigating whether Mr Berlusconi paid to have sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer.
Mr Berlusconi says he has never paid for sex.
"It's absurd to even think that I would pay to have sex with a woman," he said in a statement broadcast on Sunday. "I would consider it degrading".
Mr Berlusconi is also suspected of abusing his power to have the 17-year-old dancer, Karima El Mahroug, freed from a police cell.
The prime minister has previously admitted calling the police on Ms El Mahroug's behalf, but says he did nothing wrong and acted out of pity. BBC News
