By IANS/AKI,
Rome : Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Thursday left the San Raffaele hospital in the northern city of Milan, four days after being attacked at a political rally.
Berlusconi smiled and waved at journalists as he was driven away. The premier’s nose and cheek were bandaged.
The 73-year-old had been receiving treatment for a broken nose and two damaged teeth since he was attacked Sunday.
He was expected to spend at least two weeks recovering at his villa outside Milan.
Massimo Tartaglia, a man with a history of mental illness, has been named as the attacker, who hurled an alabaster replica of Milan’s cathedral in the premier’s face. Berlusconi lost about a litre of blood in the attack.
Tartaglia claimed to have acted alone in attacking the premier but some politicians in the ruling conservative coalition have said they believe he may have had accomplices.
Doctors have ordered Berlusconi to have a complete break from politics while he recovers during the Christmas holiday period, which he will spend at his villa in Arcore.
Judges Wednesday said Tartaglia, who was arrested immediately after the attack, will remain in preventive custody in the psychiatric wing of Milan’s San Vittore prison.