Movie legend Elizabeth Taylor passionately defended her friend Michael Jackson against charges of child molestation.

Taylor accused the press of vilifying the pop star.

Taylor broke a five-day silence on Sunday saying the press was being unfair to Jackson even before the court had heard the case.

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Jackson is accused of molesting a child under the age of 14.

"I believe that Michael is absolutely innocent and that he will be vindicated," she said. "I am not giving any interviews because the press has behaved so abominably towards Michael. Their whole reaction is that he is guilty."

"I believed that the law was innocent until proven guilty. I know he is innocent and I hope they all eat crow," she said.

The double Oscar-winner, 71, is a decades-long friend of fellow former child-star Jackson, who was on Thursday arrested on multiple counts of child molestation, each of which could see him jailed for up to eight years.

Agencies