Reports: Protester hits Berlusconi in face at Milan rally; premier left with bleeding lip

Reports: Protester hits Berlusconi at Milan rally

ROME — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was punched in the face at the end of a rally in Milan on Sunday, new reports said.

The attack occurred as the 73-year-old Berlusconi was signing autographs near his car, state TV said.

TV showed the stunned leader with blood under his nose and on his mouth as he was lifted to his feet by aides.

Berlusconi was hustled into the back of a car by the aides, but he immediately got out, apparently in an effort to show he was not badly injured. After looking out into the crowd, the aides pulled the leader back into the vehicle.

Sky TG24 TV said Berlusconi was taken to a Milan hospital to be treated.

News reports said a man, in his 30s or early 40s, was immediately detained as the suspected assailant and taken to police headquarters.

Witnesses told reporters the assailant appeared to have punched Berlusconi while holding a metal object in his fist.

A spokesman for Berlusconi said he didn’t immediately have any information about the incident, which happened after the premier delivered a long, rousing speech to his conservative supporters Sunday evening.