Robert Fico, Slovakia’s Prime Minister has been taken to hospital in critical condition after an assassination attempt was made on him.
Local media disclosed that Fico was shot “multiple times” in the abdomen outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital where the leader was meeting with supporters.
Police sealed off the scene and detained the gunman, who has been identified only as a 71-year-old man by Slovak media.
In a televised statement, outgoing President of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova condemned the “brutal and ruthless” attack on the Premier.
“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.”
Zuzana Caputova
President-elect Peter Pellegrini, who will take office on June 15, 2024, called the assassination “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.”
Alena Kudzko, Vice President of Globsec, a security policy think tank, disclosed that there is still no indication about the shooter’s motive.
“We know it’s very likely he possessed the gun legally, it’s very likely he used to work in the commercial security services before,” she said.
Fico, a third-time premier with the left-wing Smer (Direction) party, won Slovakia’s September 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message.
The shooting comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.
Western Leaders Condemn Shooting
Several leaders expressed shock at the shooting.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the assault.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family,” she said on X.
NATO Chief, Jens Stoltenberg wrote on social media, “Shocked and appalled by the shooting.”
He added, “I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the shooting of Fico a “monstrous” crime.
“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,” Putin said.
Putin also wished Fico “a speedy and full recovery.”
The Russian Ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Bratchikov condemned the shooting of Fico.
“I strongly condemn this act of violence and express my conviction of the necessity of punishment for the perpetrators,” Bratchikov said in a letter to Fico that the Russian embassy shared on its Facebook page.
U.S President Joe Biden joined the chorus of world leaders condemning the “horrific act of violence” against Fico.
“Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia,” the President said, referring to his wife.
He added that the U.S embassy was ready to assist the government of Slovakia.
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