Video shows the attack on Silvio Berlusconi

The video shows how an object hits the face of the Italian Prime Minister who remains hospitalized for  the blow broke his nose and split his lip.

Silvio 73 was stunned and was covered with blood. The attacker hit Berlusconi on the face, when he was giving autographs. The punch left him with a bloodied mouth.

A 42-year-old man, Massimo Tartaglia, was immediately arrested and is charged with aggravated assault.   He had a history of mental illness.

Police say he hurled a replica statue of the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister.

The TV showed the leader with blood under his nose, mouth and under one eye. He was lifted by his aides after the attack. Berlusconi was hurriedly pushed into the back of the car but he immediately got off to show that he was not that badly injured.  He was then taken to the San Raffaele hospital.