The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, was injured this Wednesday following being shot on the finish of a authorities assembly held within the metropolis of Handlova, within the heart of the nation. The president is steady and his life will not be at risk following a protracted surgical process.
Fico, near the Kremlin positions, was speaking with some supporters outdoors the cultural heart the place the assembly had been held when as much as 4 pictures have been heard, considered one of which hit Fico.
The Slovak Police have cordoned off the realm and have intervened on the scene. In line with data collected by the native press, the alleged shooter has been arrested, whereas members of the prime minister’s crew have been evacuated.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico shot
Authorities have recognized the attacker as Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old author, member of the Slovak Writers Affiliation and founding father of a literary group. The attacker was carrying the weapon legally, based on these sources.
As later detailed by the Prime Minister’s Workplace, Fico was rushed by helicopter to the Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica, for the reason that switch to Bratislava can be too lengthy.
There he underwent surgical procedure in an operation that lasted at the very least three hours, following which Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba assured that Fico’s life “will not be at risk at this second.” Taraba defined in an announcement to the British BBC that the operation has been profitable, that his life is not at risk and that he believes Fico “will survive.”
“He was severely injured. One bullet handed by way of his abdomen and the opposite hit his joint. He was instantly taken to the hospital following which to the working room,” he stated. Taraba defined that the pictures have been fired “from very shut vary.”
He has additionally criticized the opposition events, which he has accused of resorting to “false narratives” and of portraying Fico “virtually as a monster”, an angle that isn’t related in a democracy.
The president-elect sees democracy and sovereignty “at risk”
One of many first reactions to the occasion has been that of the president of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova, who on her official Fb profile has conveyed her “robust condemnation” of the assault towards Fico, whom she has wished a speedy restoration. “I’m shocked,” stated the Slovak president, whose ideology is opposite to that of the pinnacle of presidency.
Alternatively, the elected president of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, has been extra forceful and on his social media profile has launched a publication through which he lamented that what occurred “is a menace to every thing that has adorned democracy till now.” Slovakia”, and has admitted feeling horrified at understanding how far political “hatred” can lead.
“We wouldn’t have to agree on every thing, however there are numerous methods to precise our disagreement in a democratic and authorized method,” stated Pellegrini, who in April gained the presidential elections below the umbrella of the Voz-Socialdemocracy social gathering. shaped by a coalition between Fico’s Smer and the Slovak Nationwide Social gathering.
“An assassination try on one of many highest constitutional officers is an unprecedented menace to Slovak democracy. If we specific totally different political views with weapons in squares and never in polling stations, we jeopardize every thing we’ve constructed collectively over time. 31 years of Slovak sovereignty,” he added.
Pellegrini was on trip overseas however, attributable to current occasions, he has introduced ahead his return to Slovakia.
Alternatively, Pellegrini’s rival in these presidential elections, former Overseas Minister Ivan Korkok, has demanded an exhaustive investigation into what occurred, whereas calling for “moderation” when making statements. of duty or accusations.
On the finish of October, Fico was sworn in as Prime Minister of Slovakia for the fourth time following his resignation in 2018, when there have been a collection of protests over the homicide of journalist Jan Kuciak, who was investigating the actions of the Italian mafia within the nation.
His appointment a bit of over half a 12 months in the past was surrounded by controversy and criticism for his pro-Russian stance within the midst of the invasion of Ukraine. Fico assured that the brand new legislature can be marked by a “sovereign” international coverage.