Slovakian PM Robert Fico in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt
Slovakia’s Prime Minister (PM) Robert Fico was hospitalized after receiving multiple gunshot wounds in an assassination attempt on Wednesday. The PM was leaving a government meeting held in the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, approximately 90 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, when a gunman in the crowd opened fire, hitting him multiple times in the stomach.
Fico flown to hospital by helicopter after assassination attempt.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times following a government meeting on Wednesday.
According to his official Facebook account, Fico’s condition is… pic.twitter.com/XysNzMkRgc
— Dane (@UltraDane) May 15, 2024
Security footage recorded immediately after the incident shows the PM’s bodyguards swiftly dragging him off the ground and into a bullet-proof Mercedes limousine while bystanders and police officials pinned the 71-year-old shooter to the ground.
Following the deadly attack, Fico was transported to a local hospital in Handlova and then airlifted by rescue helicopter to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, where he is currently undergoing surgery. Slovak news agency RTVS showed images of Fico on a stretcher, surrounded by medical workers and bodyguards, after the helicopter landed at the hospital.
Slovakia’s outgoing President Zuzana Caputova condemned the “brutal and ruthless” attack on Fico and said, “A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we’ve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let’s stop it.”
Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of Fico and the successor of Caputova, also condemned the horrific attack on the PM. Pelligrini is set to relieve President Caputova in June, when he will join his office in full rank.
The nation of Slovakia is in turmoil following the incident, with many world leaders condemning the deadly attacks on PM Robert Fico. Slovak media outlets reported the assassination to be politically motivated.
PM’s assassination attempt is politically motivated
The 71-year-old gunman’s identity was not released by police officials immediately, but sources suggested that the assailant was a Slovak writer named Juraj Cintula, a liberal writer and activist who had opposing political views from those of the PM.
JUST IN: The man suspected of the assassination attempt on Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico has been identified as Slovak writer Juraj Cintula, a liberal writer and activist.
Fico is reportedly in the hospital in a “life-threatening” condition.
According to reports,… pic.twitter.com/BRwy12nhn0
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 15, 2024
The writer currently in police custody spoke about his reasons behind the assassination attempt in a video on X (formerly Twitter).
The first testimony from the man who attempted the assassination of the Slovakian PM Robert Fico.
This is your brain on liberalism. https://t.co/vHiVsdzitt pic.twitter.com/MyICuWFF07
— Olga Bazova (@OlgaBazova) May 15, 2024
Fico’s close friend and the future President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, condemned the “assassination attempt” on X, stating, “I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead”.
After the news of the attack spread across the nation, the parliament session in Bratislava was suspended, with security officials on high alert.
PM Robert Fico, a four-time prime minister and veteran in Slovak politics, is known for his significant leanings towards pro-Russian propaganda. Since his party Smer-SD (Smer-sociálna demokracia) won the general elections on September 30 last year, the 59-year-old Premier has made many controversial changes in Slovakia’s foreign policies, including stopping of arms supplies to Ukraine to aid in its war against Russia.
His return to power last year on an anti-American, pro-Russian platform suggested the leader’s leaning towards Russia and has significantly increased internal turmoil in the nation.
Over the last 5 months, numerous protests have rocked Slovakia, alleging PM Fico’s involvement in the assassination of a Slovakian journalist who had been investigating the Premiers involvement in corruption and embezzlement, as well as for the introduction of a new media law that critics say will radically undermine the impartiality of state radio and television broadcasts.
Global leaders condemn the assassination attempt on the Slovak PM
While Fico had emerged as a fervent ally of Russia since his ascension to power in last year’s general elections, most world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, have condemned the “appalling” attack on Fico and wished him a speedy recovery.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the shooting a “heinous crime” and stated, “I know Robert Fico to be a courageous and strong-spirited man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to withstand this difficult situation”.
United States of America President Joe Biden also expressed his worry at the deadly assassination attempt on Fico and wished him a fast recovery.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) chief Jens Stoltenberg conveyed his horror at the deadly attacks and wished Fico a quick recovery.
EU (European Union) chief Ursula von der Leyen also denounced the “distressing attack” and asked European allies to be on guard for such incidents.
The PM is now out of immediate danger
At around 3:03 am (GMT+5:30) on Thursday, Deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba informed Slovak news agencies that the PM is now stable and the operation “went well”. He added, “I guess in the end he will survive … he’s not in a life-threatening situation at this moment”.
He stated that for the next 24 hours the PM will be transferred to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and will remain in close observation of doctors for the next few weeks.
