Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was taken to hospital after being punched in the face by a man holding a small statue in his hand at a rally in Milan.
The 73-year-old was left with a bloodied face after the attack, which took place outside the Piazza del Duomo.
The 42-year-old man accused of attacking Berlusconi as he signed autographs was immediately taken into custody.
Bloodied: Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi in his vehicle after being attacked at the rally in Milan
TV showed the leader with blood under his nose, on his mouth and under one eye being lifted to his feet by aides after the attack.
Berlusconi was hustled into the back of a car, but he immediately got out, apparently in an effort to show he was not badly injured.
Assault: Silvio Berlusconi appeared shaken as he was rushed to hospital with cuts to his face
After looking out into the crowd, the premier, without saying a word, was pulled back into the vehicle.
The attack occurred after Berlusconi had just finished delivering a long, vigorous speech at the rally to a crowd of applauding supporters from his Freedom People party at about 6:30pm.
Officials at Milan's police headquarters, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said the premier was conscious and apparently not badly injured
A scuffle breaks out immediately after Berlusconi is attacked
They said the attacker was wielding a miniature statue of Milan's Duomo, the city's gargoyled cathedral and symbol, but couldn't say what the souvenir was made of.
Berlusconi's spokesman, speaking by telephone from the emergency room from San Raffaele hospital where the premier was taken, told Sky TG24 TV that doctors had decided to keep the premier in the hospital overnight for observation.
'We'll see what the doctors say tomorrow morning,' spokesman Paolo Bonauiti told Sky.
The exams of his jaw area included a CT scan, Bonaiuti said
Mr Berlusconi was signing autographs when he was attacked by a man, said to be in his 30s or early 40s
Police identified the man they were questioning as Massimo Tartaglia, 42. They said Tartaglia didn't have any criminal record.
The attack occurred at a difficult political time for Berlusconi, who has been plagued by scandals.
Last week tens of thousands of Italians fed up with the premier marched peacefully through Rome to demand his resignation.
The demonstrators expressed dismay over what they see as the businessman's conflict of interests, citing repeated government-backed laws they contend were tailored to help shield Berlusconi from prosecution in cases involving his media, real estate and sports empire. Berlusconi claims the laws benefit all citizens.
Other critics cite Berlusconi's sex scandals.
Berlusconi's wife is divorcing him after complaining about his infatuation with young women.
A southern Italian businessman has told investigators he procured some 30 attractive young women for parties and dinners at the premier's Rome residence and Sardinian villa.
Among the guests was a high-end prostitute who claimed she slept with Berlusconi. The premier has denied ever paying for sex.
Berlusconi has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and blames his judicial woes on prosecutors he claims sympathize with the opposition left.
Several of the cases either ended in acquittal or were dropped when limitation statutes expired. Others are pending.
source: dailymail.co.uk
Blog Archive
-
▼
2009
(2302)
-
▼
December
(255)
- Fireworks light up the London skyline and Big Ben ...
- New Year's Eve celebrations in New York's Times Sq...
- Celebrate the New Year January 1, 2010., Sydney
- Happy 2010! Sydney kicks off the New Year as celeb...
- As six die in snow, is this family the daftest in ...
- It's back home to Mother: Year of recession forces...
- An injection of gas could help you lose weight
- Brrrangelina: Jolie and Pitt wrap up their kids in...
- Father shoots dead daughter, 4, maims ex-lover the...
- Is Tiger Woods still playing around with Rachel Uc...
- New 'Daybreakers' Clip: Vampire Attack
- Wolves 0 Manchester City 3: Roberto Mancini works ...
- Would YOU be happy to take the 'naked' body scan?
- Jennifer Lopez puts on stunning show as a denim diva
- Home Office uses new advertisements to warn Brits ...
- British skier missing in the Alps found dead: Man ...
- Pomegranate lotion offers new hope in war on super...
- The only thing stopping you from getting what you ...
- Wayne Rooney fired up by fear of Fergie as he help...
- Just like old times: Jude Law and Sienna Miller so...
- The wider view: A miniature homage to the palace o...
- Dog charity refuses to rehouse animals over the fe...
- The couple who wash the dishes together will stay ...
- Is that the Queen in Tesco? (... and on the Number...
- Syringe bomber of Flight 253 detonates explosives ...
- Unveiled: China's 245mph train service is the worl...
- Video Premiere: Gucci Mane's 'Bingo' Feat. Soulja Boy
- 'Castle' Preview: Alyssa Milano Guest Stars
- Pics of Corbin Bleu, Bonnie Hunt and More Serving ...
- Lovebirds Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna triumph in...
- Top adventure breaks to make the most of a winter ...
- By Arthur Martin, Tom Kelly and Scott Warren Teres...
- Jet Li's 'The Warlords' Drops New Trailer
- Mary J. Blige Punching Her Husband at New Album Re...
- Vatican drama: Pope attacked at Midnight Mass by S...
- Santa Claus
- Mary J. Blige Desires Anita Baker for Jazz Album
- 'Lost' Death: It's Either Sayid or Jack
- Bruce Willis Tickling in New Trailer for 'Cop Out'
- Taylor Swift Hopes to Get Soft Furnishings This Ch...
- Big freeze threat to family Christmas: As death to...
- Insane Amounts of Christmas Lights!
- Top 10: Scary Girlfriend Behaviors
- Lady GaGa Spotted With Alleged New Boyfriend
- Sex by 16 'can harm academic prospects' because te...
- Prince William sleeps rough in freezing back alley...
- Brittany Murphy's husband to be quizzed over her d...
- 'Suvivor: Samoa' Winner and Runner Up Talk Surpris...
- Tom Cruise's 'Knight and Day' Gets First Trailer
- Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton on the Verge...
- British soldier serving in Afghanistan for Christm...
- The Beckhams enjoy a rare family day out as they h...
- Homes in suburban Sydney are decorated with Christ...
- Promotional Ads for Eminem's 'Relapse: Refill'
- 'Avatar' Tops Weekend Box Office Chart
- Father Remembers Recently-Passed Brittany Murphy
- 10 ways to avoid mother-in-law meltdown this Chris...
- Brittany Murphy dies 'from a heart attack' aged 32
- Christmas getaway chaos as heavy snow closes roads...
- Cartoons of the Week, December 19-25, 2009
- 'White Collar' Officially Gets Season 2
- Trailer for Jennifer Lopez's 'The Back-Up Plan' Ar...
- Kanye West to Marry Amber Rose Next Year
- It's panic Saturday: High Street giants slash pric...
- A Bachelor's Guide to Holiday Cooking
- Going To A Potluck? Impress Everyone
- John Frusciante Quits Red Hot Chili Peppers, Again
- Idina Menzel's Role on 'Glee' Not Yet Confirmed
- 'Spider-Man 4' Production Not Halted, Sony Says
- Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Enjoy Private...
- 'I'm 47, how am I supposed to look,' says Demi Moo...
- Tiger Woods's mistress Theresa Rogers 'demands £2m...
- Giant Christmas tree at Paris and Others
- Christmas Tree party at Monaco Palace
- Director's Cut of Britney Spears' '3' Music
- You could be lining children up for life of addict...
- Two boys, aged 10, charged with raping eight-year-...
- Was pop singer Jessica Simpson another of Tiger Wo...
- Final 'Lost' Art Project Unveiled
- More Details Uncovered on Reese Witherspoon and Ja...
- Fears of travel chaos as weathermen warn south of ...
- The bespoke cancer 'cure': Patients could get spec...
- Sarah Jessica Parker proudly shows off photo of he...
- Study: Airport Noise Increases Risk of Strokes
- How To: Be The Cool Uncle (At Christmas)
- Drinking three cups of tea or coffee a day cuts ri...
- Sneak Peek to Justin Bieber Singing on 'Christmas ...
- Jack Black Coming to 'Community'
- A Look at 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' Characters...
- Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher Have Set Wedding...
- Top 10 Toy Crazes
- Rated X: Rihanna's naughty makeover continues with...
- Army widow joins Calendar Girls-style effort to ra...
- Gorgeous in garters Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen keep...
- Wallmart Denies Boycotting Chris Brown's 'Graffiti'
- First Look at 'How I Met Your Mother' Musical Episode
- Tobey Maguire NOT In Talks to Play Bilbo Baggins
- Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez Break Up
- Brother and sister barred from school's Christmas ...
- Sherlock Holmes: Leading ladies Rachel McAdams and...
-
▼
December
(255)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi taken to hospital after being attacked at rally in Milan
Labels:
Update News