Robert Fico, Slovakia's Prime Minister, has been shot, May 15, 2024

[sds71]

Media reports say Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital. The incident took place in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometers northeast of the capital, according to the news television station TA3. A suspect has been detained, it said.

Slovakia's prime minister injured in shooting

Media reports say Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital.

www.newsday.com

Media reports say Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital

Media reports say Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

 

[LadyL]

geez I hope he'll be ok
the articles say 'life threatening condition'

 

[snarast]

This is bad. So bad.

 

[MrsWatson]

Rolling coverage from the Guardian.

Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico ‘in life-threatening condition’ after shooting – Europe live

Robert Fico taken to hospital after four shots reported to have been fired after government meeting in Handlova

www.theguardian.com

 

[MrsWatson]

This article gives some background about Fico.

Who is Robert Fico?

Politician serving his third term as Slovakia’s PM has navigated successfully between pro-EU positions and fiercely nationalist, anti-western rhetoric

www.theguardian.com

 

[Dotta]

"The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico
is fighting for his life after being shot in the stomach and arm by a
'71-year-old assassin'
who was bundled to the ground by cops as he attempted to flee."

Slovakian PM fighting for life after being shot by 'assassin, 71'

Robert Fico, 59, was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting. Shots were fired in front of the House of Culture.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Robert Fico: Slovakia’s PM in life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times | CNN

amp-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot by a 71-year-old pensioner from the town of Levice.
He had a firearms license -
Slovak media report.

 

[snarast]

I saw a clip that showed Fico at least standing after being shot. Stumbling. So at least it’s not as severe as it could be. I mean compared to JFK or Olof Palme.

 

[flowershop]

It sounds like he will survive. I am curious about the assassin's motive here.

Edited to add: It was a politically motivated shooting.

Suspect in Robert Fico assassination attempt was a poet who led anti-violence campaign

Juraj Cintula, 71, held after the shooting Slovakian prime minister, had previously railed against ‘rich deviants’

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[flowershop]

This event is occurring at a time when Czech and Slovak relations are strained. If we recall our history these countries were one during the Cold War. A month or two ago the two countries were in the news because diplomats from one nation were pulled from the other. Slovakia's leadership was not on board with arming Ukraine. Czech leadership sees aid to Ukraine as vital.

Czech-Slovak relations on thin ice as fallout over Ukraine intensifies

PM Fiala's cancellation of a joint cabinet meeting has thrown a spotlight on disintegrating relations between the two nations.

www.expats.cz

 

[vls12345]

Slovakia PM Robert Fico's attacker 'may not have been lone wolf'

Investigators are probing whether the suspect was part of a group who "incited and supported each other”, a minister says.

www.bbc.com

"The man suspected of attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico may not have been working alone, Slovakia's interior minister says.

A team is investigating the possibility Wednesday’s attack was not carried out by a “lone wolf”, as previously believed, Matus Sutaj Estok told reporters on Sunday.

Mr Fico’s life is no longer in danger following hours of surgery, but the 59-year-old still requires intensive care, his deputy said earlier."

 

[vls12345]

Slovakia PM Robert Fico 'approaching a positive prognosis'

It comes as a man charged with attempting to murder Robert Fico arrived in court on Saturday.

www.bbc.com

 

[flowershop]

The man in custody claimed he only wanted to hurt not kill the PM.

Slovak Prime Minister Fico’s health is improving, government says

The attack, the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader for more than 20 years, underscored deep political divisions in Slovak society.

www.nbcnews.com