- Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times at a public event
- He was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries
- A 71-year-old man was arrested at the scene as the suspected shooter
Why was Slovakia’s leader attacked in such a violent way? Let’s explore the concerning details.
The Shooting Incident
On Wednesday afternoon, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot several times by an armed assailant while greeting supporters at a town meeting. Eyewitnesses reported hearing around 4-5 gunshots ring out before seeing Fico fall to the ground, bleeding from wounds to his abdomen and limbs.
His security team quickly intervened, pinning the suspected shooter – a 71-year-old local man – to the ground and arresting him. Fico was then urgently loaded into his vehicle and rushed away by his motorcade with sirens blaring.
Prime Minister’s Critical Condition
Initial reports from the hospital indicated Fico had sustained gunshot injuries to his abdomen, arm, and foot. While conscious when admitted, his condition was described as “life-threatening” by government officials.
Doctors said Fico required immediate surgery due to the severity of his wounds. His treatment could not be delayed for transfer to the capital city, so he underwent emergency procedures at a local facility instead.
Reactions of Shock and Condemnation
News of the brazen attack on the Prime Minister sent shockwaves across Slovakia and the wider European Union. Top leaders uniformly condemned the violence as an unacceptable assault on democracy itself.
Slovak President Zuzana Caputova decried the “brutal and reckless attack,” while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “Such acts of violence have no place in our society.” Even Fico’s political ally, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, labeled it a “heinous attack against my friend.”
More to Be Uncovered
As of Wednesday night, Fico’s condition remained tenuous as he fought for his life in surgery. The motive behind the shooting is still undetermined, though the suspect’s possession of a legally owned firearm has been confirmed.
Slovakia, a young democracy only formed in 1993, has witnessed its share of political volatility and tensions in recent years. However, an assassination attempt on the sitting Prime Minister marks an extreme escalation that has left the nation reeling.
What could drive someone to commit such an act of violence against their country’s leader? As Fico continues receiving critical care, the investigation has just begun into this distressing attack on the heart of Slovak governance.ย
The screenshot is taken from – reuters.com
