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