The Moroccan-born El Mahroug was 17 when she attended the parties at Berlusconi's villa outside Milan. She said she lied about her age and that she had told guests that she was a relative of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.
Berlusconi's defense against the abuse of office charge is that he acted under the belief that El Mahroug was related to Mubarak, and that he needed to free her from police custody to prevent a diplomatic upset.
Source: Showgirls dressed as Obama at Berlusconi's 'bunga bunga' parties Showgirls dressed as Obama at Berlusconi's 'bunga bunga' parties
A verdict in the sex trial is expected in June, and a conviction for tax fraud is moving to a final appeal. Mr Berlusconi says he has never paid for sex, denies any wrongdoing and says judges are politically motivated against him.
El Mahroug failed to appear as a witness at Mr Berlusconi’s trial in December because she was on holiday. In her testimony yesterday, she challenged Mr Berlusconi’s assertion that events at his villa were elegant dinner parties.
Glamour model Marysthelle Polanco, one of 14 women who were discovered to be housed at a Milan address at Mr Berlusconi’s expense, dressed up as Mr Obama and Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho, El Mahroug said.
Source: Showgirls ‘dressed as Obama’ at Berlusconi party, court told by Associated Press
Ms Karima El Mahroug, better known by her stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer", spoke as a witness in a trial at which talent scout Lele Mora, television anchor Emilio Fede and former showgirl and regional councillor Nicole Minetti are accused of inducing and aiding prostitution.
Berlusconi is being tried separately for paying for sex with Ms El Mahroug when she was a minor and then abusing office by having her freed from police custody after her arrest for theft.
Her appearance is nevertheless an embarrassment for the 76-year-old billionaire, serving as a reminder of the legal threats the leader of the centre-right and key partner in the governing coalition faces.
Source: Dancer says showgirls dressed as Obama, nuns at Berlusconi parties by Associated Press