Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in an apparent assassination attempt against the NATO ally leader during a visit to central Slovakia.
“PM Robert Fico is currently being transported by helicopter to Banská Bystrica in a life-threatening condition, as it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute intervention,” the Slovak government said on Wednesday, per Radio Slovakia International.
The attack occurred in Handlová, Slovakia, where the prime minister was visiting a cultural facility and greeting citizens. A reporter with DennÃk N, a local newspaper, was at the scene and heard several shots ring out before seeing his security team in action. The shooter reportedly was arrested.
“I strongly condemn today’s brutal and reckless attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico,” Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova said on Wednesday. “I am shocked. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength to recover from the attack at this critical moment.”
Detailed statements from Slovak officials remain scarce, but the public setting of the incident has allowed a picture to emerge. The assailant reportedly fired four rounds, “with one hitting the prime minister in the abdomen,” as Fico greeted civilians following a government meeting.
“He has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition,” Fico’s team said in a statement posted to his Facebook page, according to an unofficial translation. “The next few hours will decide.”
Fico returned to power last year for his third stint as the prime minister of Slovakia, a victory achieved on a platform of cutting Slovakian aid to Ukraine. He has a reputation for being relatively pro-Russian, a stance that has strained his ties with other neighboring NATO allies, including the Czech Republic, although he struck a more supportive note last month while hosting Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Bratislava.
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“Russia’s use of military force in Ukraine was a flagrant violation of international law,” Fico told Shmyhal on April 12. “Our petty battles look ridiculous compared to what you are waging. People sometimes do not realize the difficulties you are facing.”
The shooting drew condemnation from across the European Union. “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media. “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family.”
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, described the attack as “appalling.”
“We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state’s head of government,” he wrote on X. “Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia.”
