As the director general of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU, Vince Farrugia left hospital yesterday, a fellow council member was charged with his attempted murder.
Mr Farrugia was beaten up at the GRTU offices in Valletta at about noon on Thursday and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Mr Farrugia was seen leaving Mater Dei Hospital with his face badly swollen, marked by bruises and stitches.
He said he had been overwhelmed with calls of sympathy.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid him a visit before he was discharged and President George Abela and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat spoke to him on the phone.
He received visits from ministers and MPs from both sides of the House, businessman and trade union leaders.
Details of the assault emerged in court when Sandro Chetcuti was arraigned in connection with the incident.
Police Inspector James Grech, prosecuting, testified that Mr Chetcuti waited for an hour and a half before being able to speak to Mr Farrugia. Once inside Mr Farrugia's office, Mr Chetcuti asked those present to leave so they could have a private conversation.
Shortly afterwards, shouting and banging could be heard and when employees rushed in, they found Mr Farrugia face down, bleeding from his head and Mr Chetcuti punching him, the officer said.
It took three men to pull Mr Chetcuti away from Mr Farrugia and as they escorted him out of the building, Mr Chetcuti told Mr Farrugia: "If not today, tomorrow, I will kill you."
On hearing the officer's testimony, Magistrate Lawrence Quintano immediately granted a six-month protection order for Mr Farrugia and his family and banned Mr Chetcuti from frequenting the GRTU headquarters in Valletta.
Mr Chetcuti pleaded not guilty to the charges of trying to kill Mr Farrugia, seriously injuring him, threatening him and harassing him and breaching the peace.
When Mr Chetcuti was asked what his job was, as is normal procedure, he replied he was carrying out good work for the GRTU and was also a contractor.
In pleas on bail, defence lawyers Emanuel Mallia, Arthur Azzopardi and Edward Gatt said their client was willing to remain under house arrest since there was a protection order on behalf of Mr Farrugia.
Dr Mallia also noted that his client had a clean police record.
The prosecuting officer noted there were eight witnesses to the attack, the charges were very serious and a number of employees feared Mr Chetcuti following the incident. Mr Farrugia, he added, was a 65-year-old man who had been attacked by a 38-year-old and the difference in strength was obvious.
At this point, the magistrate adjourned the sitting for half an hour to decide on bail. As Mr Chetcuti got up, he made the sign of the cross.
The magistrate returned a little while later,remanding Mr Chetcuti in custody.
Dr Gatt informed the court he wanted to make a request but not in the presence of the media. The magistrate agreed.
Lawyer Kris Busietta appeared parte civile.