Berlusconi suffers broken nose in attack
Berlusconi suffers broken nose in attack
Also In The News
|
By Adam Leveridge
Jenson Button took the runner-up spot at the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony in Sheffield, in the same week as being crowned the 2009 formula one world champion at an FIA gala in Monaco. |  |
Monday, 14, Dec 2009 09:10
By Richard James.
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi remains in hospital today after being attacked at a political rally in Milan.
The 73-year-old suffered a broken nose in the assault on Sunday night as well as two broken teeth.
His doctor Alberto Zangrillo said it would take a couple of weeks for the prime minister to make a full recovery.
Mr Berlusconi was hit in the face by a souvenir model cathedral while signing autographs for supporters.
Television footage released on Sunday night shows the Italian prime minister climbing out of his car in Milan covered in blood following the attack in an attempt to show supporters that he was alright.
A 42-year-old man, with a history of mental illness, has been charged with aggravated assault.
Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi could be kept under observation in hospital for up to 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.
Reports in the Italian media claim a small group of people had begun heckling and shouting during Mr Berlusconi's earlier rally and a scuffle had broken out between security staff and the hecklers.
Mr Berlusconi has endured a torrid year with his private life constantly under the spotlight since his wife announced she was divorcing him.