Berlusconi Kept in Hospital after Attack

(CBS/AP)  A doctor says Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is eating with difficulty and will remain hospitalized at least one more day, after he was attacked in the face by a man at a rally.

The medical bulletin issued Monday by the San Raffaele hospital in Milan confirmed that Berlusconi suffered a broken nose and two broken teeth. It said Berlusconi is taking antibiotics and painkillers as the pain is "persistent."

Doctor Alberto Zangrillo said surgery will not be necessary. He said that Berlusconi will remain hospitalized at least until Tuesday.

Berlusconi was hit by a man hurling a statuette at him as he was signing autographs at the Milan rally. The 73-year-old leader was taken to hospital with blood under his nose, on his mouth and under one eye.

The 42-year-old man accused of attacking Berlusconi as he signed autographs in Milan was immediately taken into custody.

The attack occurred at a time when Berlusconi, one of Italy's wealthiest men, is embroiled in sex scandals, a divorce case with his wife and public protests demanding his resignation.

TV showed the stunned leader with blood under his nose, on his mouth and under one eye as he was lifted to his feet by aides after Sunday's attack. He was hustled into the back of a car, but he immediately got out, apparently to show he was not badly injured.

Berlusconi was basking in the aftermath of a rousing speech and signing autographs when the man hit him the mouth with a miniature statue of the Milan cathedral.

The attack was the latest in a string of protests. Last weekend tens of thousands marched in Rome to demand Berlusconi resign. He has been accused of massive conflicts of interest and of tailoring laws to protect him from prosecution in cases involving his media, real estate and sports empire, CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reports. He has even been linked to the mafia.

In what some Italians see as gloss on his image and others as a disgrace, various sex scandals involving call girls and wild parties have been splashed across the Italian and international media. Berlusconi's wife, a former actress, is suing him for divorce over what she called his infatuation with young women.

Police identified the man they were questioning as Massimo Tartaglia, 42. They said Tartaglia didn't have any criminal record but had suffered psychological problems in the past.

Pizzey reports that the suspect was punched and verbally assailed by Berlusconi fans before being arrested.

[omded]

No doubt this guy's supporters were hitting his assailant with gold plated bibles...I mean the picture elicits sadness, but the story elicits pure, hysterical laughter!!!

[liselle3]

I don't care what any politician does, this guy didn't deserve this. For God's sake he is an old man, and some big cowardly jerk comes along and does this to him. I hope they throw the book at the guy who did this.

[displeased]

Wow, somebody finally connected. Shoes...miss. Tomatoes...miss. Statuette...BALAMMM!

[bubbadubba]

And the Italian branch of the US Tea Party fascists strikes again!

[Re-HorakhtyofSweden]

A much deserved slap in the face, not only is arrogant but a drama queen. At his age he should be more humble.

[sleepyric]

high time this playboy, arrogant Bush buddy got punched! He's been an embarassment for Italy for years. I only wish someone would have gotten close enough to do this to Bush or Cheney or Rumsfeld.

[liselle3]

liberalornot... give me a break. It is a well known fact the most vile bloggers around are Republicans. Puhleez... nothing like a right wing Christian to throw out completely absurd and vile comments.

[omded]

Geez Liberalornot!
Keep up the amusing posts!!! You extremist "anti-liberals" and "liberals" are so busy at each others' throats that you make quite an amusing spectacle. Of course, you're making the politicians throughout our country laugh even harder -- all the way to the bank, as they rob you and the rest of the country blind, and live in splendid opulence!