Berlusconi attacker apologises for 'cowardly' act

An Italian man who broke Silvio Berlusconi’s nose and teeth by striking him with a souvenir model has apologised to the Italian PM for his “cowardly and rash act”. Tartaglia, who has a history of mental illness, acted alone and without any political or militant interests, his lawyers said.

An Italian man who broke Silvio Berlusconi’s nose and teeth by striking him with a souvenir model has apologised to the Italian prime minister for his “cowardly and rash act”, the attacker’s lawyers said.

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Berlusconi spent his second night in hospital on Tuesday after the Sunday attack by 42-year-old Massimo Tartaglia, who hurled a small replica of Milan’s gothic cathedral at the premier from close range while he signed autographs at the end of a rally.

Tartaglia, who has a history of mental illness, acted alone and without any political or militant interests at heart, his lawyers said in a brief statement released late on Monday.

In a letter sent to Berlusconi, Tartaglia expressed his “heartfelt regret for a superficial, cowardly and rash act in which he did not recognise himself”, the statement said.

Berlusconi’s allies have portrayed the attack as the fruit of a “climate of hate” swirling around the premier, who frequently accuses “communist” magistrates, the media and leftists of a campaign to bring down his government.

He is expected to remain in hospital for at least another day and is not likely to return to work for 10 days, his personal doctor Alberto Zangrillo has said.