Bratislava Shooting; Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico in critical condition after apparent assassination attempt: The Slovak government and Robert Fico, the populist prime minister of Slovakia, both stated on his Facebook page that he was shot many times on Wednesday and is currently in critical condition. The incident occurred in the village of Handlova, around 90 miles northeast of Bratislava, the country’s capital. Fico’s dramatic exit from a government meeting sent shockwaves through the small nation and throughout Europe.
Speaking to reporters outside the hospital where Fico was receiving treatment for his wounds, Defense Minister Robert Kalina stated that the 59-year-old pro-Russian leader was still receiving treatment several hours after being shot in the belly. He claimed that Fico’s procedure was still ongoing and characterized his health as “extraordinarily serious.”
According to the administration, Fico was having a meeting with supporters at a cultural center in the town of Handlova, about 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the city, when at least four shots were fired. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok briefed media alongside the defense minister, stating that a preliminary investigation had shown “a clear political motivation” behind the attempted assassination. A suspect had been apprehended at the spot and was now in jail. In a social media post, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár also referred to it as an assassination attempt.
It was decided that Fico needed to be moved urgently, so he was first driven and then flown to a local hospital by helicopter. According to the Slovak TASR news agency, deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha acknowledged the occurrence during a session of parliament and adjourned the chamber until further notice.
On May 15, 2024, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is taken from a helicopter by medical personnel and his protective squad to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, where he is receiving treatment for several gunshot wounds. Photographs and video revealed that at least one individual was being taken into custody as police promptly cordoned off the area. The suspect, according to Slovak media, is a guy of 71 years old.
There were no reports of further suspects on the run, and there were no immediate specifics regarding the reason behind the veteran politician’s shooting, who was quite controversial. Security personnel were seen on camera hurrying the injured prime into a car and taking off quickly. After being taken aboard a helicopter, cameras saw him being carried into a hospital in Banska Bystrica while covered in blankets and positioned on a stretcher.