Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was subjected to an assassination attempt on Wednesday while leaving a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located in central Slovakia, according to local media reports.
Slovak television station TA3 reported that the 59-year-old Fico was shot in the abdomen after four shots were fired at him outside the House of Culture in Handlová, approximately 150 kilometers northeast of the capital, Bratislava, where he had been meeting with supporters.
The reports indicated that the police apprehended the attacker and immediately secured the crime scene for investigation.
Luboš Blaha, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, confirmed the incident during a parliamentary session, which was subsequently adjourned until further notice, according to the Slovak news agency TASR.
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová condemned the attack, describing it as a “brutal” assault on the Prime Minister, and expressed her shock at the incident. In a statement, she wished Robert Fico a swift recovery and strength during this critical time.
It is worth noting that the relationship between Prime Minister Fico and President Čaputová has been tense, with Fico repeatedly accusing her of being an American agent serving foreign interests, leading Čaputová to file a lawsuit against him. Fico recently won the premiership for the fourth time, basing his campaign on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform.
source: lualuatv
