Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi''s trial on charges he paid an underage woman for sex opened on Wednesday and was adjourned until May 31st after just 10 minutes.

Berlusconi, who has escaped largely unscathed in the opinion polls over the "Rubygate" case, did not attend the session. Crowds of critics and supporters verbally sparred outside the court over whether the 74-year-old should go to prison.

Some 100 television crews from as far away as Australia vied for space in front of the courthouse after the three female judges ruled they could not enter. About 100 journalists were
packed inside the court.

Berlusconi is accused of giving cash and jewels to Moroccan-born Karima El Mahroug, a dancer who goes by the stage name of Ruby, in exchange for sex when she was 17 years old and thus too young under Italian law to be paid as a prostitute.

Critics of the prime minister, who is also facing other trials for corruption and tax fraud, said they doubted what the Italian media has dubbed "Rubygate" would ever be concluded.

"I am angry because they will never sentence him. The law is not equal for everyone. If I steal an apple, I go to jail," said Aldo Giassi, 86, who wore a Berlusconi mask.

His supporters, who set up a gazebo outside the court, said the prime minister was being pursued by leftists determined to destroy him politically, echoing Berlusconi''s own words.

"It''s just dirt. They are trying to throw dirt at our prime minister," said Giovanni Esposito.