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Italy PM in hospital after attack Berlusconi nose broken in attack
(about 2 hours later)
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is under observation in hospital after being attacked after a political rally in Milan.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.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.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.A 42-year-old man, who has a history of mental illness, has been charged with aggravated assault.
Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi, 73, had had to undergo a CT scan in the hospital but did not yet require any surgery.
ANALYSIS Duncan Kennedy, BBC News, RomeANALYSIS Duncan Kennedy, BBC News, Rome
The attack will undoubtedly raise questions about security surrounding the prime minister.The attack will undoubtedly raise questions about security surrounding the prime minister.
Like most heads of government, he travels with a large team of body guards and aides but Mr Berlusconi is a gregarious figure who likes to mingle with ordinary people.Like most heads of government, he travels with a large team of body guards and aides but Mr Berlusconi is a gregarious figure who likes to mingle with ordinary people.
He is also a divisive individual in Italian politics, with opinion polls showing a broad split between voters.He is also a divisive individual in Italian politics, with opinion polls showing a broad split between voters.
After months of personal scandal involving his private life, he has become an even more polarising leader, though the motivation for this physical attack is not yet clear.After months of personal scandal involving his private life, he has become an even more polarising leader, though the motivation for this physical attack is not yet clear.
Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi, 73, had had to undergo a CT scan in the hospital but did not yet require any surgery.
He said the prime minister could be kept in hospital for as long as 48 hours.He said the prime minister could be kept in hospital for as long as 48 hours.
"He suffered a big trauma to his face with two evident wounds on the upper lip, one external and one internal which needed surgical suture," he said."He suffered a big trauma to his face with two evident wounds on the upper lip, one external and one internal which needed surgical suture," he said.
He is believed to have been struck full in the face by a souvenir model of Milan cathedral while signing autographs.He is believed to have been struck full in the face by a souvenir model of Milan cathedral while signing autographs.
Show of defianceShow of defiance
However Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi was still not quite sure about what happened to him.However Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi was still not quite sure about what happened to him.
After the attack on Sunday evening the prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right, before being driven away.After the attack on Sunday evening the prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right, before being driven away.
Silvio Berlusconi was left dazed by the attackSilvio Berlusconi was left dazed by the attack
And upon arrival at the hospital the prime minister, who had blood all over his face, said he was fine.And upon arrival at the hospital the prime minister, who had blood all over his face, said he was fine.
It was a typical show of defiance by a political fighter, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome.It was a typical show of defiance by a political fighter, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome.
However Italy's Ansa news agency reported that Mr Berlusconi had told one visitor later that he thought it was "miraculous" that he did not lose an eye in the attack.However Italy's Ansa news agency reported that Mr Berlusconi had told one visitor later that he thought it was "miraculous" that he did not lose an eye in the attack.
There are said to have been scuffles between hecklers and security staff during the rally and before the attack.There are said to have been scuffles between hecklers and security staff during the rally and before the attack.
At the hospital, Mr Berlusconi's spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti said he was worried about the "atmosphere of hatred and violence in the air".At the hospital, Mr Berlusconi's spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti said he was worried about the "atmosphere of hatred and violence in the air".
Under pressureUnder pressure
The attack was condemned by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano while conservative Gianfranco Fini said: "This is truly a bad day for Italy, and it's the duty of all the political forces to ensure that Italy does not go back to the years of violence."The attack was condemned by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano while conservative Gianfranco Fini said: "This is truly a bad day for Italy, and it's the duty of all the political forces to ensure that Italy does not go back to the years of violence."
Massimo Tartaglia was charged with assault following the incident
Umberto Bossi, leader of the far-right Northern League said what had happened was an "act of terrorism" and called the attack "a worrying sign".Umberto Bossi, leader of the far-right Northern League said what had happened was an "act of terrorism" and called the attack "a worrying sign".
Police have charged Massimo Tartaglia, 42, with aggravated assault for hurling the miniature replica at Mr Berlusconi.Police have charged Massimo Tartaglia, 42, with aggravated assault for hurling the miniature replica at Mr Berlusconi.
ASSAULTS ON PRIME MINISTERS Italy's Silvio Berlusconi physically attacked in street in December 2004 in Rome, and December 2009 in MilanTurkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan punched in the stomach by a man as he is about to deliver a speech Trabzon, August 2009New Zealand's John Key shoved and grabbed by two protesters at Maori event, February 2009 In pictures: Attack on 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 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 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.
ASSAULTS ON PRIME MINISTERS Italy's Silvio Berlusconi physically attacked in street in December 2004 in Rome, and December 2009 in MilanTurkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan punched in the stomach by a man as he is about to deliver a speech Trabzon, August 2009New Zealand's John Key shoved and grabbed by two protesters at Maori event, February 2009 In pictures: Attack on Berlusconi
His attacker, a bricklayer from northern Italy, reportedly told police he had attacked Mr Berlusconi because he hated him. The politician suffered a bruise.His attacker, a bricklayer from northern Italy, reportedly told police he had attacked Mr Berlusconi because he hated him. The politician suffered a bruise.
Mr Berlusconi has been under pressure in recent months.Mr Berlusconi has been under pressure in recent months.
His private life has been in the spotlight, amid allegations that he slept with prostitutes, and after his wife filed for divorce.His private life has been in the spotlight, amid allegations that he slept with prostitutes, and after his wife filed for divorce.
He has dismissed accusations of ties to the Mafia, and criminal cases against him have resumed after a law giving him immunity was overturned.He has dismissed accusations of ties to the Mafia, and criminal cases against him have resumed after a law giving him immunity was overturned.
A week ago tens of thousands of people attended an anti-Berlusconi rally in Rome.A week ago tens of thousands of people attended an anti-Berlusconi rally in Rome.