Berlusconi assaulted at Milan rally

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s prime minister, was injured by an object thrown from a crowd during a public appearance in Milan on the 13 December 2009 in an incident that is certain to add to an already poisonous political atmosphere.

It was the latest manifestation of the deep and bitter divisions in Italian politics caused by a tidal wave of political and legal problems facing Mr Berlusconi. He has lost his immunity against prosecution and is facing several trials related to his business interests. His private life has been the subject of lurid allegations of liaisons with escorts.

BBC News, 15.12.09: Attack on Berlusconi 'premeditated' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8413402.stm

BBC News, 14.12.09: Italy's Berlusconi to stay in hospital after attack http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8411318.stm

Spiegel Online International, 15.12.09: Berlusconi Attack a 'Wake Up Call' for Italy http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,667173,00.html

EurActiv, 15.12.09: EU leaders condemn attack on Berlusconi http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/eu-leaders-condemn-attack-berlus-news-223118

LifeInItaly, 14.12.09: Sympathy for PM croses boundaries http://www.lifeinitaly.com/

BBC News, 14.12.09: Berlusconi nose broken by protest attacker http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8411198.stm

Deutsche Welle, 13.12.09: Berlusconi attacked after political rally http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5010953,00.html

France24, 14.12.09: Man with history of mental health problems arrested in Berlusconi attack http://www.france24.com/en/20091214-berlusconi-milan-rally-attack-italy-tartaglia-arrested-mental-problems?autoplay=

BBC News, 15.12.09: Attacked Berlusconi says 'love will overcome hate' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8414804.stm

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