(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121026-%20berlusconi-hmed-8a.photoblog600.jpg)Giorgio Cosulich / Getty Images fileFormer Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, shown here in April 2011, was sentenced Friday to four years in prison.By NBC News and wire reportsUpdated at 11:40 a.m. ET: MILAN -- An Italian court on Friday convicted former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of tax evasion and sentenced him to four years in prison.
But the verdict did not mean that Berlusconi will go to prison anytime soon.
In Italy, cases must pass two levels of appeal before the verdicts are final. Berlusconi is expected to appeal. He will not have to serve any time in jail until his final appeal is heard.
Still, the conviction Friday was significant because it was the media mogul's first prison sentence in years of criminal probes.
The verdict was almost certainly the final nail in the 76-year-old’s political coffin, two days after he announced he would not run for premier in upcoming elections.
NBCNews
Two levels of appel? Strange laws they have there in Italy.