Slovakia PM shooting – live: Robert Fico ‘escaped death by a hair’ as president says situation ‘critical’
Slovak populist prime minister shot in stomach during meeting with supporters in Handlova
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The Slovakian prime minister “escaped death by just a hair,” after he was shot in the stomach in an assassination attempt on Wednesday.
Mr Fico, 59, was injured after five shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova where the leader was meeting with supporters.
In an update on Thursday, Slovakia’s president-elect Peter Pellegrini said the PM is still “critical” as he is living “the worst hours and days of his life”.
He added that if the bullets struck just a few millimetres either side, the Mr Fico would have been killed.
Suspect Juraj Cintula, 71, believed to be a former security guard and poet, was charged with attempted murder and faces up to 25 years in prison.
He is believed to have attended anti-government protests, and in social media posts referred to having disagreements with Mr Fico’s policies.
Mr Fico, a well-known ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is a divisive figure in Slovak politics, with the European Union Parliament elections due to take place in three weeks.
What do we know so far?
Here’s a recap of everything we know about the shooting so far:
- Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times during a visit to the town of Handlova where he was seen greeting supporters moments before the attack.
- The 59-year-old Putin ally was rushed to a local hospital and has now been airlifted to Banská Bystrica hospital.
- He is in a life-threatening condition, with the next few hours said to be crucial.
- A man was detained at the scene and is in police custody.
- European leaders have condemned the attack, with Rishi Sunak saying: “Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.”
- The shooting comes just three weeks before the crucial European Union Parliament elections.
In pictures: Robert Fico being transported to hospital
Pictures have just been released of Robert Fico being transported into hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries in a shooting.
The Slovak prime minister has been covered by a white sheet while multiple emergency service workers push the hospital bed.
Mr Fico arrived at the Banska Bystrica Hospital after being transported via air ambulance from Handlova.
Sir Keir Starmer says assassination attempt is ‘shocking news’
Sir Keir Starmer has called the assassination attempt on Robert Fico “shocking news”.
In a short statement on X, the Labour Party leader added: “My thoughts are with Robert Fico and his family.”
Nato secretary general wishes Fico a ‘speedy recovery'
The Nato secretary general has condemned the attack as Robert Fico remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.
Jens Stoltenberg said on X: “Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia.”
In pictures: Images show security guards detaining suspect
Shooting suspect believed to be 71-year-old man
The shooting suspect who was detained at the scene is understood to be a 71-year-old man.
Pictures have emerged of him being handcuffed by security personnel after multiple shots were fired towards prime minister Robert Fico, who was hit in the abdomen.
Thomas Verniek, a reporter for Slovak news channel TA3, told Sky News that the man was part of a crowd of people who approached Mr Fico after he left the House of Culture in the town of Handlova.
He said the suspect addressed him before proceeding to shoot him multiple times.
Slovakia’s PM rushed inside hospital after attempted assassination
Biden condemns 'horrific act of violence' after shooting of Slovak PM
President Joe Biden condemned the attempted assassination of Slovak prime minister Robert Fico on Wednesday and said the U.S. Embassy was ready to assist the government there, according to a statement released by the White House.
“I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,” Biden said. “We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.”
Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?
Born to a working-class family in September 1964, Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party.
After the 1989 Velvet Revolution that led to the break up of former Czechoslovakia, he worked as a government lawyer and represented Slovakia at the European Court for Human Rights.
During a three-decade career, Fico has moved between pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to European Union and US foreign policy.
Read the full article from Alexander Butler here:
Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?
The populist Slovakian prime minister is in a life-threatening condition in hospital, the government says
Eyewitness in shock after ‘nightmare’ shooting
An eyewitness has described the scene of the shooting as a “nightmare” after around four shots were fired when a gunman unleashed his weapon.
“I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground,” eyewitness Lubica Valkovas aid.
“I think it is a nightmare, I’ll tell you I think I will not wake up from this,” the 66-year-old said. “That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia.”
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