Report: Berlusconi receives apology for “cowardly” assault

This video image made available by RAI TG3 shows Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, after an attacker hurled a statuette at Berlusconi striking the leader in the face at the end of a rally in Milan on Sunday, leaving the 73-year-old media mogul with a bloodied mouth and looking stunned. Photo: AP.

A man accused of striking Silvio Berlusconi in the face, putting him in hospital, has apologized to the Italian prime minister, a news report said.

Massimo Tartaglia wrote a letter to the 73—year—old premier expressing “deeply felt” regret for a “cowardly and rash” act, the Italian news agency ANSA reported on Monday night.

Tartaglia, 42, is accused of striking Berlusconi on Sunday with a miniature replica of the Milan Cathedral at a political rally in the northern Italian city.

Mr. Berlusconi suffered a broken nose, two broken teeth, and cuts to his lips and has been in a Milan hospital ever since.

Tartaglia is in police custody. His father has said he has been psychologically unstable for years.