Italy’s highest court has set a 30 July court date to hear ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's tax fraud appeal; an earlier than expected date that throws a monkey wrench into any hopes he had in the statute of limitations running out.

Berlusconi denies the charges and says they are politically motivated.

Two months ago, an appeals court upheld Berlusconi’s conviction, his four-year jail term, and his five-year ban from holding public office.  If the next hearing upholds those decisions, Berlusconi has no further routes to appeal; he’s going to jail. 

Italy’s court system is notoriously slow in dealing with appeals, and the quick turnaround on the Berlusconi case caught observers and the defense by surprise.

“I have never seen a hearing programmed as quickly as this. I am astonished,” Berlusconi lawyer Franco Coppi said adding, “This is a real squeeze on the rights of the defense.”

Berlusconi is also appealing separate convictions for engaging an underage prostitute, and for arranging the leak of a police wiretap.