Weapon of choice for the man who mugged Italian premier in front of 30 security guards

Published on Monday 14 December 2009 21:35

SILVIO Berlusconi, who suffered a fractured nose and two broken teeth after a mentally disturbed man hit him in the face with a statuette, was expected to remain in hospital until at least today.

• A statuette of the Gothic cathedral Duomo was used to injure Silvio Berlusconi. Picture: Getty

The attack, which left the Italian premier suffering from a "persistent" pain, has shocked a country already gripped by a tense political climate, highly polarised between Mr Berlusconi's supporters and his critics.

It has also raised questions about the security surrounding the premier. A government official said he expected the leader's protection to be tightened, as security officials held an emergency meeting.

The 73-year-old was rushed to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan with his face covered in blood after the attack in the northern Italian city on Sunday.

TV footage showed the assailant hurling a souvenir statue of Milan's Duomo, the Gothic cathedral that is a symbol of the city, hitting Mr Berluscon full on the face.

The attacker, a 42-year-old man with a history of psychological problems, was arrested. After a night of questioning at a police barracks, he was moved to the San Vittore prison in Milan. He has been named as Massimo Tartaglia.

The premier lost a lot of blood and is taking antibiotics and drugs for "persistent" pain, the hospital said. His vital signs are normal and he is eating with difficulty but will not need surgery, his doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said.

Mr Berlusconi's spokesman said the premier was tired and had a strong headache. He said: "We try to keep him at rest. He would like to re-immerse himself into his frantic activity, but doctors say caution is necessary."

The premier asked to see newspapers upon waking up at the hospital and was visited by aides, his spokesman said.

Aides added that he had received calls from French president Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as Russian president Vladimir Putin. Both are close personal friends.

Mr Berlusconi's political dominance has further polarised a society that is traditionally divided into fiercely opposed factions. Along with widespread solidarity for the premier, groups praising Mr Berlusconi's assailant mushroomed on Facebook in the aftermath of the attack. Roberto Maroni, who as interior minister is in charge of the police, said he had counted some 300 Facebook groups praising Tartaglia. He also mentioned Youtube videos showing the attack with comments inciting more violence.

Mr Maroni, who presided over the meeting in Milan, said the security detail would be reviewed, but he also added he did not see any immediate faults. Typically, about 30 secret service agents protect Mr Berlusconi at his public appearances. But the premier, who considers himself a man of the people with a taste for showmanship, also likes to mingle with his supporters and shake hands.

"Berlusconi has the right to get close to his supporters because this is democracy, this is politics," said Mr Maroni.

Aides in recent days describe Mr Berlusconi as worried by what he called a climate of hatred surrounding him.

Dr Zangrillo said: "Staring at his bloodied hand, he told me: 'There's a climate of hatred, I expected this would happen.'"

Bloody nose may yet boost Berlusconi

ITALIANS are now asking if the ugly assault on prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was prompted by a "climate of hatred" splitting their nation.

Some commentators said that the attack would boost Mr Berlusconi's political fortunes after his high ratings were hit by accusations of corruption and sex scandals. They said the attack would strengthen his position in his sometimes fractious centre-right coalition.

Images of Mr Berlusconi's bloodied and bruised face were broadcast worldwide, but the headlines and comments in Italy went well beyond the injuries.

"A Time of Hatred," was the headline in Florence's La Nazione newspaper.

The word "hate" was used in many headlines as Italy searched its soul over what happened to its controversial and divisive premier. "A climate of hatred against Berlusconi has produced devastating effects," Rome's conservative Il Tempo said.

Even left-leaning commentators acknowledged the attack was a sign of political tension that had boiled over dangerously.

"This clearly shows the degradation of the political clash in Italy," said La Repubblica, which has been sharply critical of the prime minister, while L'Unita called the attack "madness".