(19 Jan 2000) Italian/Nat
Bettino Craxi, Italy's first Socialist premier, died on Wednesday in Tunisia, where he had been living for years in self-exile after corruption convictions.
He was 65.
Craxi, once a major political kingpin and one of Italy's longest-serving premiers died in his home in Tunisia on Wednesday.
He had been in poor health for years, suffering from complications of diabetes.
His son, Bobo, confirmed his father's death.
The former leader died at his seaside villa in Hammamet, Tunisia, of a heart attack.
Family members found him dead in his bed.
The Italian Senate and Chamber of Deputies, upon hearing the news, immediately suspended its session.
Back in April 1993, amid rowdy scenes the Italian Chamber of Deputies refused to lift the former Prime Minister's parliamentary immunity to allow a corruption probe.
Four government ministers resigned and student demonstrations brought Rome to a halt as a result of the controversial vote.
However in 1994, Craxi was forced to flee Italy in disgrace to avoid a 51/2-year prison sentence for political corruption.
It was a sad demise for one of Italy's most powerful postwar politicians.
Craxi served as premier from August 1983 to March 1987.
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