Slovakia PM shooting – live: Robert Fico ‘escaped death by a hair’ as president says situation ‘critical’

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

What do we know so far?

Wednesday 15 May 2024 16:08 , Holly Evans

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 16:13 , Holly Evans

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’

Wednesday 15 May 2024 16:27 , Holly Evans

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'

Wednesday 15 May 2024 16:44 , Holly Evans

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 16:48 , Holly Evans

Shooting suspect believed to be 71-year-old man

Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:13 , Holly Evans

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:19 , Holly Evans

Biden condemns 'horrific act of violence' after shooting of Slovak PM

Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:32 , Holly Evans

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?

Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:40 , Holly Evans

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?

Eyewitness in shock after ‘nightmare’ shooting

Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:50 , Holly Evans

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.”

Local media reports shooter was a former security guard with a gun licence

Wednesday 15 May 2024 18:10 , Holly Evans

Slovak news media reported the shooter was a former security guard at a shopping mall, an author of three collections of poetry and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers. Atkuality.sk cited his son as saying his father was the legal holder of a gun licence.

“I have absolutely no idea what my father intended, what he planned, what happened,” news outlet Aktuality.sk quoted the shooter’s son as saying.

Putin says there is ‘no justification for this monstrous crime'

Wednesday 15 May 2024 18:22 , Holly Evans

Russian president Vladimir Putin has responded to the shooting in Slovakia.

“There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation,” he said.

“ I kindly request to convey to Prime Minister Fico the sincerest words of support, as well as wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he said in a telegram to Slovak president Zuzana Caputova.

What are Fico’s policies?

Wednesday 15 May 2024 18:31 , Holly Evans

During a three-decade career, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to EU and U.S. policies. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities.

An admirer of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico has grown increasingly critical of Western support for Ukraine in its war with invading Russian forces and has expressed opposition to allowing Kyiv to join NATO in the future.

Fico was forced to resign as premier amid mass protests in 2018 triggered by the contract killing of Jan Kuciak, a journalist who had been invesgitating high-level corruption.

Those protests exacerbated divisions in Slovak society that still linger.

Security and police seen outside hospital

Wednesday 15 May 2024 18:56 , Holly Evans

Defence minister says ‘situation is bad’ in new statement

Wednesday 15 May 2024 19:09 , Holly Evans

In a statement outside the hospital, Slovakia’s defence minister Robert Kalinak says the prime minister’s condition remains serious after he suffered “serious trauma” in the shooting.

He is still in surgery, which has been under way for hours, he confirms.

“The situation is bad,” he says.

Fico has been in surgery for three and a half hours

Wednesday 15 May 2024 19:12 , Holly Evans

Defence Minister Robert Kalinak has told reporters that any detailed medical information will be available later on: “The situation is really complicated now.”

He added that the surgery has been going on for three and a half hours.

Attack believed to be politically motivated

Wednesday 15 May 2024 19:19 , Holly Evans

Slovakia’s interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok said authorities suspected the attack was politically motivated.

A man, who is reported to be a 71-year-old former security guard, has been detained and is in police custody.

Mr Estok added that the attacker shot five shots towards Mr Fico in the assassination attempt.

‘Clear political motivation’ behind attack, says minister

Wednesday 15 May 2024 19:35 , Holly Evans

Slovakia’s interior minister says an initial investigation shows there was “a clear political motivation” behind the assassination attempt on the country’s prime minister.

Matus Sutaj Estok spoke to reporters Wednesday evening at a hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Prime Minister Robert Fico was being treated.

“There’s no doubt about it,” defence minister Robert Kalinak added.

In pictures: Slovakia’s interior and defence minister giving an update

Wednesday 15 May 2024 19:42 , Holly Evans

Slovakia has little history of political violence

Wednesday 15 May 2024 19:53 , Holly Evans

Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, has little history of political violence.

In 2022, two people were killed in a shootout outside an LGBT venue in central Bratislava.

In 2018, the killing of a journalist and his partner shocked the country and sparked mass protests, Ján Kuciak, a Slovakian investigative reporter, and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, were shot in their home which led to a political crisis that led to Mr Fico’s resignation as prime minister.

‘Social media to blame’ says interior minister

Wednesday 15 May 2024 20:14 , Holly Evans

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.

In pictures: Police secure crime scene after shooting

Wednesday 15 May 2024 20:29 , Holly Evans

Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?

Wednesday 15 May 2024 20:50 , Holly Evans

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:

Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 21:15 , Holly Evans

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.

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 21:35 , Holly Evans

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

Pictures appear to show moment before Robert Fico was shot

Wednesday 15 May 2024 21:59 , Holly Evans

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 22:19 , Holly Evans

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.

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

Wednesday 15 May 2024 22:20 , Holly Evans

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:

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

Biden expresses 'alarm and deep concern' after assassination attempt

Wednesday 15 May 2024 23:00 , Holly Evans

Eyewitness in shock after ‘nightmare’ shooting

Thursday 16 May 2024 00:00 , Holly Evans

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.”

Slovakia’s parliament suspended after prime minister Robert Fico injured

02:00 , Holly Evans

Slovakia’s parliament suspended after prime minister Robert Fico injured in shooting

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

04:00 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked” by the “awful news” that his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico had been shot.

Mr Fico is in a life-threatening condition after being wounded in the shooting in the town of Handlova.

The Prime Minister said on X, formerly Twitter: “Shocked to hear this awful news.

“All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.”

Read the full article here:

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

Who is Robert Fico, the populist Slovak prime minister wounded in a shooting?

04:09 , Namita Singh

Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times after a political event yesterday afternoon, an episode of violence that punctuated his decades-long career in politics.

His deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba later told the BBC he believed Mr Fico would survive the attack, saying “he’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment”.

Mr Fico, 59, was born in 1964 in what was then Czechoslovakia. A member of the Communist Party before the dissolution of communism, he took a law degree in 1986 and was first elected to Slovakia’s parliament in 1992 as a member of the Party of the Democratic Left.

Read more about his political ascent in this report:

Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?

Robert Fico ‘will survive’ assassination attempt, says deputy prime minister

04:36 , Namita Singh

Robert Fico will survive the assassaination attempt, said his deputy prime minister.Slovakia’s prime minister had been greeting supporters at an event when he was shot multiple times, shocking the small country and reverberating across Europe weeks before an election.

“I guess in the end he will survive,” Tomas Taraba told the BBC, adding: “He’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment.”

Mr Taraba said one bullet went through the prime minister’s stomach and a second hit a joint.

News outlet Aktuality.sk cited an unnamed source saying Mr Fico was out of surgery and in stable condition.

Defence minister Robert Kalinak told a news briefing hours earlier that Mr Fico had suffered “serious polytrauma” after several shot wounds.

Robert Fico turns Slovakia away from Western mainstream

04:51 , Namita Singh

Robert Fico’s return to power last year on a pro-Russian and anti-American message caused worry among fellow European Union members that he would lead his country further away from the Western mainstream.

Kicking off his fourth term as prime minister, Fico’s government halted arms deliveries to Ukraine and left critics claiming that he will lead Slovakia — a nation of 5.4 million which is a member of Nato — to abandon its pro-Western course and follow in the footsteps of Hungary under prime minister Viktor Orban.

Thousands of people have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Mr Fico’s policies.

World leaders condemn assassination attempt on Fico

05:00 , Namita Singh

US president Joe Biden said he was alarmed by the assassination attempt on Robert Fico. “We condemn this horrific act of violence,” he said in a statement.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg posted on X that he was “shocked and appalled” by the attempt on Mr Fico’s life. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called it a “vile attack”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the violence against a neighboring country’s head of government.

“Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form or sphere,” he said.

Putin condemns Fico assassination attempt as monstrous crime

05:28 , Namita Singh

Vladimir Putin described the shooting of Slovakia prime minister Robert Fico as a “monstrous” crime.

In a telegram sent to Slovakia’s president Zuzana Caputova, he said: “I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation.”

Kremlin wishes Fico a speedy recovery

05:38 , Namita Singh

Kremlin wished Robert Fico a speedy recovery, reported Russia’s news agency RIA.

Who is Robert Fico? Slovakia’s prime minister who returned to power on a pro-Russian platform

06:00 , Holly Evans

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:

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

‘Doctors fought for Fico’s life’

06:03 , Namita Singh

Doctors fought for the life of Robert Fico for several hours, said defence minister Robert Kalina, while speaking with reporters outside the hospital where the prime minister is receiving treatment.

‘Threat to democracy’: Slovakian leaders unanimously condemn Fico’s shooting

06:30 , Namita Singh

Slovakian leaders from across the political spectrum unanimously condemned the assassination attempt on prime minister Robert Fico.

Outgoing president Zuzana Caputova, a political rival of Mr Fico, said in a televised statement: “A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy.”

“Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we’ve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let’s stop it,” he added.

President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Mr Fico, called the shooting “an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy”.

He said: “If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares and not in polling stations, we are jeopardising everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty.”

Kremlin condemns assassination attempt on Fico

06:34 , Namita Singh

The Kremlin condemned the assassination attempt on Slovak prime minister Robert Fico and wished him a speedy recovery. Fico was shot as he was leaving a government meeting.

“Naturally, we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Izvestia. “We consider it absolutely unacceptable. This is really a great tragedy.”

“We hope that Mr Fico will be able to pull through and recover as soon as possible. We wish him a speedy recovery,” Mr Peskov said.

As he prepared for a visit to China, president Vladimir Putin yesterday made the rare move of sending a telegram to Slovak president Zuzana Caputova.

“I was indignant to learn about the attempt on the life of the Chairman of the Government of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico. There can be no justification for this monstrous crime,” Mr Putin said.

“I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation.”

‘Cowardly act’: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi condemns attack on Fico

06:56 , Namita Singh

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi joined scores of leaders condemning the assassination attempt on his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico.

“Deeply shocked at the news of the shooting at Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico,” he wrote on X. “I strongly condemn this cowardly and dastardly act and wish PM Fico a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with the people of the Slovak Republic.”

Slovak government to meet following assasination attempt on PM

07:23 , Tara Cobham

Slovakia will convene a state security council meeting and the government will also meet from 11am (9am GMT) on Thursday, the government office said.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, but a government minister said his life was no longer in danger.

Slovak PM Fico's condition stabilised but serious, says hospital director

07:57 , Tara Cobham

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s condition is stabilised but remains serious, a hospital director said on Thursday, after an assassination attempt the previous day.

Who is Robert Fico?

08:19 , Alexander Butler

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.

What party does Robert Fico belong to?

08:35 , Alexander Butler

Fico has run the Smer-SD party since 1999 after establishing it to oppose the reformist centre-right cabinet. He had been turned down for a ministerial post by the Democratic Left, the political heirs to the Communist Party.

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, won in September last year, made him the longest-serving head of government in Slovakia’s history.

After the win in 2006 – two years after Slovakia joined the EU – Fico kept the nation on course to adopt the Euro in 2009 despite forming a government with nationalists.

Fico and Smer have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of neighboring Hungary, Viktor Orban.

‘Left wing populist’: What does Robert Fico believe?

08:45 , Alexander Butler

During a three-decade career, Fico has skilfully weaved between pro-European mainstream and nationalistic anti-Brussels and anti-American positions, while showing a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities.

Polling at around 10 per cent in 2020, the Covid pandemic opened a door for Fico, who sought to address voter fears in slamming government health measures.

At the same time he a tapped into dissatisfaction with bickering in the ruling government and raised doubts with its pro-Western course, chiming with pro-Russian narratives on social networks that had spread across Slovakia.

Read more here

Slovakian PM shot and wounded in broad daylight attack

09:00 , Alexander Butler

Pictured: Man arrest after Fico shot and injured

09:24 , Alexander Butler

Suspect charged with attempted murder

10:11 , Alexander Butler

A man has been charged with attempted murder after Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico was shot in the stomach in an assassination attempt.

The 71-year-old suspect, believed to be a former security guard, faces up to 25 years in prison after the “politically motivated” attack, local news reported.

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.

Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico rushed inside hospital after attempted assassination

10:51 , Alexander Butler

Russia’s Medvedev praises Fico for ‘reasonable’ positions on Russia

11:27 , Alexander Butler

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev praised Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico, who was wounded in an attempted assassination on Wednesday.

He said there were few politicians like him in Europe and that he had “reasonable” positions regarding Russia.

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, won in September last year, made him the longest-serving head of government in Slovakia’s history.

After the win in 2006 – two years after Slovakia joined the EU – Fico kept the nation on course to adopt the Euro in 2009 despite forming a government with nationalists.

Fico and Smer have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of neighboring Hungary, Viktor Orban.

Slovakian police urge ‘respect and tolerance'

11:40 , Alexander Butler

The Slovakian police have urged “respect and tolerance” after comments appeared on social media approving of Robert Fico’s attempted assassination.

On social media, the Slovakian police said: “In the comments below the post about yesterday’s event, there are also those that approve of crime and those that spread hate.

“We evaluate these posts and if they meet the actual essence of the crime or offense, we will take action. Avoiding punishment is so simple.

“Respect and tolerance are all you need. There are two words that everyone should follow when communicating, and not only on social networks.

“It should also be a standard in everyday life, where respect, decency, dignity and other virtues of daily life belong. Thank you.”

Slovakian opposition leader calls for end to ‘spiral of attacks'

12:01 , Alexander Butler

Slovakia’s opposition leader has called for an end to the “spiral of attacks and blame” following an attempted assassination of prime minister Robert Fico.

Michal Šimečka, of Progressive Slovakia, said: “The assassination of the prime minister is an attack on democracy. Most of all, we now need to end the spiral of attacks and blame. We must all contribute to this in our own way, both as politicians and as citizens.

“After yesterday’s terrible act we immediately suspended the campaign to the European Parliament and are providing full cooperation and cooperation to political partners to calm the situation in Slovakia.

Fico ‘not out of the woods yet’ following assassination attempt

12:35 , Alexander Butler

The Slovakian prime minister is “not out of the woods” yet 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.

“It will be very difficult in the days to come. However, we have full confidence in the medical team who every minute monitor his condition.

“Doctors managed to improve the prime minister’s condition, however he is not out of the woods yet,” Slovakia’s deputy prime minister said.

Suspect charged with attempted murder, Slovak official confirms

12:53 , Alexander Butler

The Slovak interior minister has confirmed that the suspect who is accused of shooting Robert Fico has been charged with attempted murder.

Speaking during a news conference of the Slovak security council, he said the attempt on Mr Fico’s life was “politically motivated”.

He said the suspect, who is believed to be 71, was a “lone wolf” who did not belong to any political party but had previously taken part in anti-government protests.

In pictures: Bullet hole in tree where Slovak prime minster was shot

13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A bullet hole marks a tree at the scene after a shooting incident in which Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was wounded, outside the House of Culture in Handlova, Slovakia.

How the attempted assassination of Robert Fico unfolded

13:30 , Alexander Butler

The Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico was shot five times at point-blank range on Wednesday afternoon.

Hospital officials have confirmed his condition is “very serious” but stable after the politician was airlifted to FD Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica, 25 miles from the site of the shooting in the town of Handlova.

The official added two surgical teams in the hospital had spent five hours treating the multiple gunshot wounds.

Read more here

‘Left wing populist’: What does Robert Fico believe?

14:00 , Alexander Butler

During a three-decade career, Fico has skilfully weaved between pro-European mainstream and nationalistic anti-Brussels and anti-American positions, while showing a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities.

Polling at around 10 per cent in 2020, the Covid pandemic opened a door for Fico, who sought to address voter fears in slamming government health measures.

At the same time he a tapped into dissatisfaction with bickering in the ruling government and raised doubts with its pro-Western course, chiming with pro-Russian narratives on social networks that had spread across Slovakia.

Hospital where Slovak PM being treated give update

14:19 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The FD Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Robert Fico is being treated for injuries, is now giving a live update. Stay tuned as we keep you posted.

PM is ‘living the worst hours and days of his life'

14:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The prime minister is “living the worst hours and days of his life,” the president of Slovakia has said.

In a press conference outside the hospital where PM Robert Fico is being treated: “We hope he will survive these days and that we will be able to witness his quick recovery.”

Fico was ‘saved from death by a hair,’ president says

14:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The prime minister was “saved from death by a hair,” Slovakia’s president said as he urged the country to turn away from violence.

Newly elected president, Peter Pellegrini, said if the bullets struck just a few millimetres either side, the PM would have been killed.

Slovakian president says PM’s health is ‘critical'

14:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Slovakian president Peter Pellegrini said though the prime minister Robert Fico’s situation is “critical”, he was able to speak to him in hospital.

However, he said that the PM was only able to say a few words before becoming “very tired”.

He added that Mr Fico’s health situation is “incredibly difficult” and his health is “not safe”.

Mr Pellegrini said the next few days will show whether the PM’s body will be able to fight through.

Slovakia’s president calls on political parties to suspend campaigns for European elections

14:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Peter Pellegrini, the president-elect, called on political parties to suspend or scale back their campaigns for European elections, which will be held June 6-9.

“If there is anything that the people of Slovakia urgently need today, it is at least basic agreement and unity among the Slovak political representation. And if not consensus, then please, at least civilized ways of discussing among each other,” Mr Pelligrini said.

Zuzana Eliasova, a resident of the capital, Bratislava, said the attack on Fico was a “shock” to the nation and an attack on democracy at a time when political tensions were already running high.

“I believe that a lot of people or even the whole society will look into their conscience, because the polarisation here has been huge among all different parts of society,” she said.

Polish PM Tusk says he received threats after assassination attempt on Slovakia's PM

15:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday he received threats after the assassination attempt on his Slovakian counterpart, with a media outlet reporting his security protection would be strengthened.

Slovakia‘s Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot five times at close range on Wednesday, spurring international condemnation and calls for a calming of political tensions.

“There was a lot of it yesterday,” Tusk said in a post on the X social media platform illustrated with a screenshot of a comment, also on X, saying: “today, Slovaks gave us an example of what should be done with Donald Tusk” if he decided not to carry out investment in a big airport in central Poland.

The political atmosphere in Poland has been charged in recent years, including the murder in 2019 of a liberal mayor of Gdansk who was a critic of then ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party’s anti-immigrant policies.

Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?

15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

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.

Deputy prime minister Tomáš Taraba called it a “brutal and ruthless” attack.

So who is Robert Fico, what party is he from and what is his political? The Independent takes a look below.

Who is Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico?

Suspect in attack on Slovak PM showed no signs of extremism, neighbours say

16:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A 71-year-old former security guard charged on Thursday with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is the author of three collections of poetry who neighbours said had shown no sign of political extremism.

Fico, 59, was shot as he greeted supporters in the small town of Handlova, in central Slovakia, and underwent hours of surgery. A hospital official said on Thursday that the prime minister was in “very serious” but stable condition.

The suspect, who was apprehended at the scene, has not been named by authorities but scattered details about him began to emerge as the country struggled to make sense of the attack.

A neighbour in the modest seven-storey building in Levice, a town of about 36,500 inhabitants due south of Handlova, where the suspect lives, said he had known the man for 40 years and that he had never vented extreme political views.

“He was a polite man and wasn’t strong about politics as such, but he did feel that some of the measures of the government weren’t correct,” pensioner Mile Ludovit, 68, told Reuters through an interpreter.

“Some of the media reports say he was planning it for a month already, but there was no sign of it.”

What do we know about the suspect?

16:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The suspect was a former security guard at a shopping centre, the author of three collections of poetry and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers, local media reported.

News outlet Aktuality.sk cited his son as saying his father was the legal holder of a gun licence. “I have absolutely no idea what my father intended, what he planned, what happened,” it quoted the son as saying.

The son said that all he could say about his father’s views about Fico was that he did not vote for him and that his father was not a psychiatric patient.

A member of the Rainbow Literary Club in Levice told Reuters the suspect had been one of its founders. In a statement, the club condemned the attack and said that as a strictly apolitical group it had revoked his membership with immediate effect.

Peter Klinko, a club member, told Reuters he had last met the suspect about two years ago. “If I had to describe him, I can say in one word that he is a good person,” he said.

“But even a good jug carries water only until it breaks. I can’t tell you anything about his latest thought processes.”

16:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that the type of attack on politicians Gardai mostly fear is a “lone wolf situation”.

He was speaking after the prime minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was shot several times on Wednesday.

“Around 2011-12, we had many people on the far left doing a lot of activity and sort of following us around with phones and videos and all the rest of it.

“That’s happening from far right elements. The only difference I see is the aggression and the hostility and incredible bad language and the threatening and intimidating nature, but it’s a minority.

“Gardai will tell you mostly that their fear, really, in terms of attacks on politicians, the kind of horrible attack on the prime minister of Slovakia yesterday, is perhaps a lone wolf situation, and the circumstances could be anything. That’s something that can happen in all walks of life, at any time.”

Slovakian PM Fico ‘not out of the woods yet’ as suspect charged with attempted murder over shooting

17:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A man has been charged with the attempted murder of Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico, who is in a stable condition in hospital but is “not out of the woods yet” according to officials.

Mr Fico was left fighting for his life in hospital after he was shot several times in the stomach in what the government has decribed as an assassination attempt. Mr Fico, 59, was airlifted to hospital after five shots were fired by a gunman outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova where the leader was meeting with supporters.

Mr Fico was still critical on Thursday after undergoing five hours of surgery with doctors working around the clock to save his life. But Slovakian president-elect Peter Pellegrini said he could speak a little.

Slovakian PM Fico ‘not out of woods’ as suspect charged over shooting

Could the Robert Fico shooting lead to a wider conflict in Europe?

19:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The attack on the Slovak prime minister contains shades of 1914, writes Mary Dejevsky. But will it lead to a similarly catastrophic outcome for the continent – or will it remain a purely domestic atrocity?

Could the Robert Fico shooting lead to a wider conflict in Europe?

19:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

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