ROME, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - Massimo Tartaglia sent Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi a letter apologizing for his 'villainous' Sunday attack on the premier, Italy's media reported late on Monday.
Berlusconi, 73, is still in hospital with a broken nose, two teeth knocked out and an injured upper lip after Tartaglia hurled a souvenir statuette at the premier while he was greeting the crowd and signing autographs after a flamboyant speech in Milan.
Tartaglia, 42, who has a long record of mental illness and is currently in a psychiatric ward in the San Vittore prison, said in his letter that he characterizes the attack on Berlusconi as an 'inconsiderate and villainous act' and that he also expresses his 'deep regret.'
The attacker's lawyers, who handed over the letter, said Tartaglia also admitted that he acted alone and did not belong to any political party or movement.
However, Tartaglia was earlier reported to say that he strongly opposed Berlusconi and the policies of the Italian government.
The premier has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks. Last Thursday, a mafia boss said during court hearings that Berlusconi and his old-time friend, senator Marcello Dell'Utri, had ties with the mafia. A day later a rally gathered in Rome to demand Berlusconi's resignation.
