Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's political fate could be sealed today when the country's highest court meets to discuss his one-year jail sentence. 

If the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation upholds the verdict in the Mediaset case, his prison sentence and five-year ban from politics will be cemented.

The case focused on film-rights purchases at his media empire and the use of offshore companies to create slush funds and dodge taxes. Mr Berlusconi has denied any wrongdoing on his behalf, because of his focus on Italian political matters.

It's believed Berlusconi's age may preclude him from serving the sentence in prison. He may be given social work or house arrest as a punishment.