Man tried to enter Berlusconi's hospital room, overpowered

Citing police officials, ABC reports that a 26-year-old man was detained at 2:00 am (local time) on the seventh floor of Milan's San Raffaele Hospital where Mr Berlusconi is recovering from his facial injuries he suffered in an attack on Sunday.

Sunday’s bizarre episode
Berlusconi, 73, was attacked on Sunday during a rally in Milan. He was struck in the face with a souvenir statuette as he signed autographs at the rally. He suffered a broken nose, facial cuts and two lost teeth in the attack, police said.

According to The Associated Press report citing police officials, the attacker, Massimo Tartaglia, is a 42-year-old Milan man who has long-standing psychiatric troubles.

Like Tartaglia, the intruder, whose identity is not immediately released, had been treated for mental health troubles.

The intruder was unarmed
The Turin man arrested on Wednesday was not reported to be carrying weapons or dangerous objects when he reached the seventh floor, where Mr Berlusconi is being held, BBC reports. Although he managed to reach the seventh floor of the hospital but did not gain access to the Italian leader’s room.

"He was coming out of the lift when bodyguards and police immobilised him immediately," a police spokesman told BBC. The intruder "said he wanted to talk to the prime minister."

"He did not have an aggressive attitude or any weapon or dangerous object on him. We found hockey sticks in his car," the spokesman added.

Hockey sticks and kitchen knives found in parked car
AP reports that police questioned the intruder at Milan police headquarters but planned to release him. They believe the man is a supporter of the Italian premier. The officials told the publication that authorities found "hockey sticks and kitchen knives" in a search of the man's parked car. But, it is believed the man apparently plays hockey, but he will be cited for transporting the knives without justification, the official said.

Mr Berlusconi's personal doctor Alberto Zangrillo examined him to decide whether the premier and media mogul can leave hospital later on Wednesday. Mr Berlusconi has complained of neck pains disturbing his sleep.

Pain worsened
The prime minister's spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti, said "the persistence of the pains worry us a bit because the cervical pains [from a pre-existing condition] have gotten worse."

Zangrillo said he had advised him to "abstain from all activities that would expose him to public situations, to stress."

As advised by his doctor, Mr Berlusconi has cancelled a trip to the Copenhagen climate summit this week and a Christmas Eve trip to the Italian city L'Aquila, which was struck by an earthquake in April.

On Tuesday, Mr Berlusconi thanked all his well-wishers, saying: "Thanks to all of the many who sent me messages of support and affection. I say to all of you, stay calm and happy. Love always triumphs over hate and envy."

US President Barack Obama also called Mr Berlusconi Tuesday night to offer get-well wishes.