Slovakian Prime Minister Shot and Injured Outside Culture Ministry Following Cabinet Meeting

The Slovakian Prime Minister, Robert Fico, 59, sustained injuries in a shooting incident outside the country’s culture ministry. The incident occurred in Handlova, northeast of the capital Bratislava, while he was greeting supporters.

He was subsequently taken to the hospital after being hit in the stomach. Local news outlet TA3 reported that a suspect had been detained following the firing of four shots during the incident.

The shooting is believed to have occurred while PM Fico was meeting people nearby. Witnesses recounted hearing several shots before witnessing the prime minister being carried away by security personnel.

PM Robert Fico has been taken to hospital after the incident (Picture: Reuters)

Two witnesses, including an older man and a woman, provided their accounts to Dennikn.sk, they were expressing shock at the sudden gunfire.

Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic attributed the shooting to journalists, specifically targeting Denník N reporters with derogatory remarks.

The area around the shooting site was cordoned off, and the Ministry of Culture was evacuated, with other government officials moved to safety.

President Zuzana Caputova condemned the attack on the prime minister, describing it as “brutal and ruthless.” She expressed shock at the incident and wished PM Fico a speedy recovery.

During a parliamentary session, Deputy Speaker Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident and adjourned the session until further notice. Fico, who previously served as PM between 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018, belongs to the Direction – Social Democracy party, which he founded in 1999.

Fico resigned in 2018 amidst public outrage over the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, whose death implicated high-level corruption and triggered nationwide protests.

Despite stepping down, Fico remained influential within SMER-SD and Slovakian politics, continuing to shape the country’s political landscape.

I am shocked by the attempted assassination of Robert Fico, a great friend to me and to Serbia. Dear friend, I pray for you and for your health.

— Александар Вучић (@predsednikrs) May 15, 2024

Returning to power in September, Fico formed a Eurosceptic three-party coalition with close ties to the Kremlin, advocating for a peace treaty between Ukraine and Russia, which strained relations with NATO allies.

In February, he defended the need for compromise in resolving the conflict in Crimea, Donbas, and Luhansk, dismissing expectations of Russian withdrawal.

In the same month, Fico’s decision to close the country’s anti-corruption office led to widespread street protests and warnings from Brussels regarding the rule of law.

Sola Adeniji

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