Italy's Silvio Berlusconi began community service for tax fraud on Friday in a spectacular fall from grace for the flamboyant ex-prime minister, who will likely seek political gain from the symbolic punishment.

The billionaire tycoon, who was convicted last year and has been expelled from parliament, has been ordered to work once a week for up to a year as a volunteer in a hospice for Alzheimer's patients near Milan.

The Catholic Church-run hospice in Cesano Boscone has said it will not allow Berlusconi to use his stint for political grandstanding in front of the world's media and will treat him like any other volunteer.

The disgraced politician has dominated Italian politics for two decades and is leading a campaign for European Parliament elections despite being barred from running, and his party is expected to get 20 percent of the vote.

Massimo Restelli, head of the hospice's care services, told La Repubblica that Berlusconi's introduction would be "gradual" so that he and the elderly patients can get used to each other.

"We ask everyone including Berlusconi to observe, to listen and not to get performance anxiety," he said, adding that the media magnate would be accompanied at all times by a medical worker specialized in Alzheimer's.

Berlusconi has said in interviews that he has a "big surprise" in store and has hinted that this could involve a deeper commitment to Alzheimer's sufferers.

"I think in the end I will stay a lot longer than I have to. I have a big surprise prepared. It took me just 10 days to learn the different cure methods that can be used," the 77-year-old told a radio show.

Emilio Fede, a former television anchor who has been convicted of procuring prostitutes for Berlusconi, has said his friend is unperturbed by the community service.

"Berlusconi is preparing carefully and is studying everything on Alzheimer's. He will do it well and with humanity," Fede said, adding that the service would be a tribute to Berlusconi's late mother, Rosa.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 05/10/2014 page8)