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

Robert Fico in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt

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.

Key Points

• PM was ‘escaped death by a hair,’ president says
• Fico ‘not out of the woods yet’ following assassination attempt
• Suspect charged with attempted murder
• Slovak PM Fico's condition stabilised but serious
• Footage of man being detained after shooting

[15 May 2024 20:14 · Holly Evans]

‘Social media to blame’ says interior minister

Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, claimed during a press conference that media were to blame for the assassination attempt on Robert Fico.

He criticised reporters for “sowing this hatred” and abdicating their “social responsibility”. They must “stop this hate”, he added.

The defence minister added that the prime minister “valued fundamental principles” and that it is “our role to stop this” in relation to the what has happened over the last few weeks.

[15 May 2024 20:29 · Holly Evans]

In pictures: Police secure crime scene after shooting

Forensices at the scene after Robert Fica was shot (REUTERS)

Police secure the area after the shooting incident (REUTERS)

[15 May 2024 20:50 · Holly Evans]

Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?

Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico has been shot and is in life-threatening condition in hospital.

Fico, 59, was injured after multiple shots were fired outside a cultural centre in Handlova, Slovakia – about 90 miles (150km) from the capital Bratislava – where the leader was meeting his supporters.

Images showed police detaining a suspect following the shooting, which the interior minister called an assassination attempt.

Read the full article here:

[15 May 2024 21:15 · Holly Evans]

Close ally blames ‘liberal media’ for atmosphere that led to shooting

Fico’s close ally Lubos Blaha, deputy parliament speaker and deputy chairman of the prime minister’s SMER-SSD party, blamed what he called the “liberal media” and opposition for creating an atmosphere that led to the shooting.

“For SMER-SSD, I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years,” Blaha said. “You, liberal media and political opposition. What hatred you spread against Robert Fico.”

Slovakia’s biggest opposition party Progressive Slovakia called off a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday evening.

“We call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps that could contribute to an escalation of tension,” said Michal Simecka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, a liberal pro-Western party.

[15 May 2024 21:35 · Holly Evans]

Sunak’s ‘shock’ at shooting of Slovakian counterpart Fico

[15 May 2024 21:59 · Holly Evans]

Pictures appear to show moment before Robert Fico was shot

The moment before Robert Fico was shot (RTV PRIEVIDZA)

The red ring shows what appears to be the gun seconds before the shooting (RTV PRIEVIDZA)

[15 May 2024 22:19 · Holly Evans]

Robert Fico not in a life threatening situation, says deputy prime minister

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is not in life threatening situation at this moment, the deputy prime minister told the BBC on Wednesday, after Fico was shot and wounded in an attempted assassination.

“I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment,” Tomas Taraba said.

[15 May 2024 22:20 · Holly Evans]

Robert Fico, Slovakia's populist prime minister, who returned to power on a pro-Russian platform

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, an episode of violence that punctuated his long career spanning decades in politics.

Fico, 59, returned to power in Slovakia last year. Having previously served twice as prime minister, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018, his third term made him the longest-serving head of government in Slovakia’s history.

He and his party Smer (Direction) have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán.

Read the full article here:

[15 May 2024 23:00 · Holly Evans]

Biden expresses 'alarm and deep concern' after assassination attempt

[16 May 2024 00:00 · Holly Evans]

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.”