Italian Prime Minister left bloodied and dazed in attack

Dec 14, 2009 08:55 GMT  ·  By

Italian Prime Minister, businessman and “larger than life personality” Silvio Berlusconi was left bloodied and dazed in an unexpected attack which occurred last night, as he was signing autographs after giving a speech at a political rally in Milan. The incident left Berlusconi obviously confused, while also causing him a broken nose and the loss of two teeth, the BBC informs.

Reports in the media say Berlusconi had just given a very “rousing” speech at the gathering, and was signing autographs and talking to people when the attack occurred. The attacker hit him once to the face but, because he was holding a souvenir model of one of the city’s cathedrals, the impact was so strong it sent the PM to the ground. Bodyguards picked him up and took him to his car, where he tried to stand and wave to the crowd, as if to let them know that he was ok.

However, the bodyguards shoved him inside the car and a clearly dazed Berlusconi was rushed to the hospital. Doctors tell the media the PM will need at least 14 days to recover from the incident, as it has left him with a broken nose and two broken teeth. Surgery is not necessary, they say, but it’s a wonder the injuries sustained were not more serious, as the PM could have also lost an eye. Berlusconi will be released from the hospital after 48 hours under supervision.

“Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is under observation in hospital after being attacked after a political rally in Milan. His doctor Alberto Zangrillo said it would take a few weeks for Mr. Berlusconi to make a full recovery. He said the prime minister’s nose and two teeth were broken in the attack and that he had lost a lot of blood. A 42-year-old man, who has a history of mental illness, has been charged with aggravated assault,” the BBC informs.

“Police have charged Massimo Tartaglia, 42, with aggravated assault for hurling the miniature replica at Mr. Berlusconi. The replica of the cathedral, famous for its gothic spires, was initially said to be made of metal but later reports suggested it was plaster. The Italian prime minister was previously assaulted in the street on New Year’s Eve 2004, when a tourist visiting Rome struck him with a camera at a rally in the capital’s Piazza Navona,” the same media outlet further says.

Below is a video of Silvio Berlusconi after the incident, as he’s trying to stand up to wave to the crowd and is then pushed back into the car by his bodyguards.