Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in a 'very serious’ but 'stable' condition in hospital after a public assassination attempt saw him shot repeatedly in broad daylight.
The populist leader was in the town of Handlova at the time – 112 miles north of Bratislava – and had just left a Government meeting when shots were fired outside the House of Culture. Shortly after the shooting, a post on Fico’s official Facebook page revealed the Slovakian leader was "shot multiple times and is currently in a life-threatening condition" and that he is being transported by helicopter to the nearby town of Banská Bystrica.
Images captured the moment the suspected attacker was detained by police yesterday evening. According to local Slovak TV station JOJ24, the man - thought to be 71 years old - has been named as Juraj Cintula. He was taken into custody while Fico was quickly airlifted to a hospital.
Robert Fico is a divisive political figure (AFP via Getty Images)It was later revealed that the attack was politically motivated. Slovakian interior minister Matúš Šutaj-Eštok said: “The initial information that we have clearly points to a political motivation and a decision by the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election. He added: “The perpetrator shot five times and the prime minister is in critical condition. An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy."
Here’s how the dramatic incident unfolded.
Brit 'saw her insides' after being cut open by propeller on luxury diving trip
1:30pm: Fico leaves cabinet meeting in Handlova
Fico greets crowds in Handlova moments before being shot (AP)On the day of the shooting, Fico was in Handlova, about 90 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, to attend a government meeting. He emerged from House of Culture in Handlova's city centre at around 1:30pm (2:30pm GMT) to greet people in a crowd that had gathered outside.
Moments later: Man shoots president ‘multiple times’
The PM was bundled into a car and taken to hospital (AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)Moments later, a series of shots were fired at President Fico while he was greeting supporters. It came 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.
Reports by local media claimed four shots had been fired, one of them hitting the PM in the abdomen. It was later revealed Fico was shot five times before falling to the ground. Footage captured the moment chaos ensues on the ground as four shots are fired.
Reports suggested Fico was shot in the stomach, leg and lungs as security guards jumped in to protect him. He was then bundled into a car and taken to hospital. Officers and members of the public were seen scrambling to detain the shooter in the small town in the Prievidza District.
Picture of suspected shooter released
The man, said to be aged 71, was detained outside (RTVS/AFP via Getty Images)A close-up image of the shooting suspect was released as he was being detained by police in the town of Handlova, where Fico was meeting with supporters. The man, said to be aged 71, was detained outside before being taken into custody. The motive for the shooting was at the time unclear.
4pm: Fico arrives at hospital in ‘life-threatening condition’
PM Robert Fico being transported on a hospital bed (AFP via Getty Images)Images show Fico being transported on a hospital bed and covered by a white sheet at around 4:00pm. Multiple emergency service workers were seen pushing the hospital bed after Mr Fico arrived at the Banska Bystrica Hospital following transportation in an air ambulance. The Slovakian Government's office earlier confirmed Mr Fico was in a life-threatening condition.
5pm: Citizens told to 'exercise restraint' amid fears of retaliations
The alleged attacker is believed to be 71 years old (REUTERS)Slovakia's interior ministry warned citizens that the incident would likely spark a wave of calls for retaliation. On a Facebook page set up to counter disinformation, it warned: “In connection with this event, a lot of information and calls for retaliation and escalation of violence have begun to spread in the information space. We appeal to citizens to exercise restraint, not spread unverified information or support hatred and calls for violence.”
5:40pm: Fico still in surgery
Robert Fico was taken to the hospital in Bésztercebánya just before 4.00pm, and was still in surgery shortly after 5:40pm in a critical condition, according to local media Denník N. The assassination in Handlova happened at around 1.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT). According to the government office, he was in a "life-threatening condition" while he was being operated on.
7:20pm: Attack was 'politically motivated' says interior minister
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok said the attack was politically motivated (AP)Speaking at a press conference, Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, said the attack was politically motivated. He said: “The initial information that we have clearly points to a political motivation and a decision by the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election. The perpetrator shot five times and the prime minister is in critical condition,” he said. "An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy”.
16/05/24
10:30am: Fico will need 'another operation' as he fights for life
Fico was seriously injured in the shooting (RTVS/AFP via Getty Images)Fico is set to undergo 'another operation' following yesterday's attempted assassination, as he continues to fight for his life. Slovakia's deputy prime minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed Mr Fico was expected to survive the attempt on his life and that he is no longer in a life threatening situation.
Cowboy gored to death by bull in New Year's Eve rodeo tragedy
The prime minister is being treated at the Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica and is awaiting hip surgery. However, because he takes blood thinning medication, it's thought this may make the second operation more difficult.
11am: Fico's shooter is charged
A man has been charged with attempted murder after PM Robert Fico was shot multiple times an assassination attempt. The 71-year-old suspect, believed to be a former security guard, now faces up to 25 years in prison, local news reported. He is proud of his act, according to local reports.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
