Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he takes part at a People of Freedom meeting in Rome on September 9, 2009. Italy's three-time former prime minister received a four-year sentence for tax fraud -- and although he may only serve one year, his political future has been thrown into doubt.
Rome (CNN) -- Italy's high court has upheld a prison sentence for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in a tax fraud case.
The court Thursday said it supported a lower court's four-year prison sentence for Berlusconi.
Three years of that sentence are covered in an amnesty aimed at cutting down on prison overcrowding, effectively reducing Berlusconi's sentence to one year.
The high court also ordered a lower court to reconsider whether Berlusconi, 76, should be banned from public office -- a controversial issue that could play a key role in the country's political future.
A lower court convicted Berlusconi of tax evasion last October, sentencing him to four years in prison and barring him from public office for five years. In May, an Italian appeals court in Milan upheld that decision.
The former prime minister can't appeal the high court's decision in the case.
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But it's unlikely he'll spend time behind bars, because of his age and the shortness of the sentence.
Berlusconi is a member of Italy's Senate and therefore enjoys immunity from any type of arrest.
The Senate would have to vote to have his immunity lifted in order to serve any sentence.
Berlusconi, who served on and off as prime minister between 1994 and 2011, is one of the most colorful and controversial figures in the lively history of Italian politics.
A look at the life of Silvio Berlusconi
For years, he has been entangled in fraud, corruption and sex scandals that have often reached Italian courts.
In June, a panel of judges sentenced Berlusconi to seven years in prison for abusing power and having sex with an underage prostitute. Berlusconi's attorney told reporters he plans to appeal that conviction.
Undaunted by the court battles, Berlusconi has not only launched appeals, but in December made two significant announcements: his engagement to 27-year-old Francesca Pascale, and then, his political comeback.
In Italy's February elections, the three-time prime minister appealed to Italian voters by denouncing the unpopular austerity policies of technocrat Mario Monti.
For all his critics, Berlusconi won almost 30% of the vote in February and remains an influential figure in Prime Minister Enrico Letta's fragile coalition government.
CNN's Becky Anderson, Peter Wilkinson and Paul Armstrong contributed to this report.
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Berlusconi delivers a speech during a rally of his party 'Il Popolo della liberta' (People of the Freedom - PDL) in Rome on February 7, 2013.
In Italy's February elections, the former prime minister appealed to Italian voters by denouncing the unpopular austerity policies of technocrat Mario Monti.
Former President George W. Bush and Berlusconi share a moment during a South Lawn arrival ceremony at the White House on October 13, 2008.
The late Moammar Gadhafi attends a meeting with Berlusconi in Rome on June 10, 2009.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome Berlusconi to the G20 dinner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 24, 2009.
Berlusconi waves to journalists as he leaves San Raffaele hospital in Milan on December 17, 2009. Berlusconi suffered severe facial wounds in a violent attack.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Berlusconi attend a press conference in Lesmo, Italy, on April 26, 2010.
Berlusconi listens during a debate at the Senate on December 13, 2010, in Rome, Italy.
Berlusconi reacts during the presentation of politician Antonio Razzi's book "Le mie mani pulite" (My clean hands) at the Italian parliament in Rome on February 1, 2012.
An official visit to Villa Madama on January 18, 2011. A Milan court sentenced the flamboyant politician to four years in prison for tax evasion, but he appealed the decision.
Berlusconi arrives at the Chancellery to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on January 12, 2011 in Berlin, Germany.
Berlusconi passes by Carabinieri guards prior a meeting with Russia's President at Villa Madama palace in Rome on February 16, 2011.
AC Milan players and AC Milan chairman Berlusconi celebrate after winning the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 21, 2011, in Milan, Italy.
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