Berlusconi left in severe pain
Source: Agencies |
December 15, 2009, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ITALIAN Premier Silvio Berlusconi is in pain and will remain hospitalized until at least today with a fractured nose and two broken teeth after an attack by a mentally disturbed man who hit him in the face with a statuette, doctors and aides said.
The attack shocked Italy, already gripped by a tense political climate and polarized between Berlusconi's supporters and critics.
It also raised questions about the security surrounding the premier. A government official said he expected the premier's protection to be tightened, as security officials held an emergency meeting.
Berlusconi, 73, was rushed to San Raffaele hospital in Milan with his face covered in blood after the attack in the northern Italian city on Sunday afternoon.
TV footage showed that the assailant came close to Berlusconi and hurled a souvenir statue of Milan's Duomo, the Gothic cathedral that is a symbol of the city, hitting him in the face. Italian newspapers said the statuette was made of metal.
The attacker, a 42-year-old with a history of psychological problems, was arrested.
After a night of questioning, the man was moved to the San Vittore prison in Milan, the ANSA news agency said. Police have identified him as Massimo Tartaglia.
The premier lost a lot of blood and was taking antibiotics and drugs for "persistent" pain, the hospital said.
His vital signs were normal and he was eating with difficulty but would not need surgery, his doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said.
Berlusconi's spokesman said the premier was tired and had a bad headache.
The attack shocked Italy, already gripped by a tense political climate and polarized between Berlusconi's supporters and critics.
It also raised questions about the security surrounding the premier. A government official said he expected the premier's protection to be tightened, as security officials held an emergency meeting.
Berlusconi, 73, was rushed to San Raffaele hospital in Milan with his face covered in blood after the attack in the northern Italian city on Sunday afternoon.
TV footage showed that the assailant came close to Berlusconi and hurled a souvenir statue of Milan's Duomo, the Gothic cathedral that is a symbol of the city, hitting him in the face. Italian newspapers said the statuette was made of metal.
The attacker, a 42-year-old with a history of psychological problems, was arrested.
After a night of questioning, the man was moved to the San Vittore prison in Milan, the ANSA news agency said. Police have identified him as Massimo Tartaglia.
The premier lost a lot of blood and was taking antibiotics and drugs for "persistent" pain, the hospital said.
His vital signs were normal and he was eating with difficulty but would not need surgery, his doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said.
Berlusconi's spokesman said the premier was tired and had a bad headache.
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