December 18, 2009 in Nation/World

Italy’s Berlusconi leaves hospital days after attack

Alleged assailant remains in custody

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Associated Press photo

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi waves as he arrives at his home in Arcore, Italy, on Thursday.
(Full-size photo)

ROME – Four days after being attacked at a political rally, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was whisked away from a Milan hospital with his face covered in bandages, an unusual sight from a politician and media mogul long obsessed with controlling his image.

The grim-looking Berlusconi waved weakly to photographers as he entered his car Thursday, a stark contrast to the premier’s usually ebullient appearances filled with broad smiles and autograph signings.

During one such foray into a crowd Sunday, a man with a history of psychological problems hurled a souvenir statue of Milan’s cathedral into the premier’s face, breaking Berlusconi’s nose and two teeth.

The 73-year-old leader, who has used plastic surgery and hair transplants to keep a fresh look on his perma-tanned visage, sported a large bandage that covered part of the left side of his face and his nose as he left the San Raffaele hospital.

His attacker, identified as 42-year-old Massimo Tartaglia, remains in a Milan prison.

Berlusconi, who is fending off a sex scandal and legal troubles, had previously lamented that he was the target of a “climate of hatred.” His injuries stirred public sympathy but groups praising Tartaglia mushroomed on Facebook after the attack.

Berlusconi said in a statement released by his office that he would go on “with more strength and determination than before.”

A Swiss media report quoted the mayor of the southern Swiss town of Gravesano as saying Berlusconi was expected in coming days at a posh clinic in the town.

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