Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Seriously Wounded in shooting

Banská Bystrica, Slovakia – May 15, 2024 – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and seriously wounded on Wednesday afternoon while greeting supporters outside the Cultural Center in Handlová, a town near Banská Bystrica. The attack occurred around 2:58 PM local time, immediately following a government meeting in Komárno.

According to initial reports from the Slovak police, a lone gunman fired multiple shots at the Prime Minister. Video footage circulating online shows Fico collapsing after being struck. The assailant, identified as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula from Levice, was apprehended at the scene by security forces. Cintula reportedly had a legally owned firearm.

Fico was transported by helicopter to the Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica,where he underwent emergency surgery. Hospital spokesperson Zuzana Eliášová confirmed that Fico is in a life-threatening condition, with injuries affecting his stomach and chest. The surgery lasted several hours,and doctors reported it was accomplished in stabilizing his condition,but he remains in intensive care.

Slovak Interior Minister Kaliňák stated that the motive for the attack is currently unknown, but authorities are investigating all possible angles. The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) has launched a full examination into the incident.

the shooting has triggered widespread shock and condemnation across Slovakia and internationally. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová condemned the attack as a “brutal and politically motivated act of violence” and called for national unity. She has suspended her planned trip to the Netherlands to return to Slovakia.

Several European leaders,including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala,have expressed their shock and offered support. The attack comes at a time of heightened political tensions in Slovakia, with Fico’s government facing criticism for its policies and alleged steps towards authoritarianism.

Background on Robert Fico and slovak Politics

Robert Fico, 59, is a veteran politician who has served as Prime Minister of Slovakia on three separate occasions: from 2006 to 2010, 2012 to 2018, and again as October 2023. He leads the SMER-SSD party,a left-wing populist party that advocates for closer ties with russia and opposes military aid to Ukraine.

Fico’s recent return to power has been marked by controversy, including changes to the public broadcaster RTVS, wich critics say undermine media freedom. He has also been a vocal critic of the European Union and NATO. his government has faced protests over concerns about the rule of law and democratic values.

Slovakia, a country of 5.4 million people,joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2009. The country has experienced political instability in recent years, with frequent changes in government. The assassination attempt on Robert Fico represents a significant escalation of political violence in the country and raises serious concerns about the future of Slovak democracy.

Juraj Cintula, the alleged attacker, is a 71-year-old retired employee with no prior criminal record. He is known locally as an amateur writer and poet, and has previously been involved in local political activism. His social media profiles reveal anti-government sentiments and criticism of Fico’s policies.