Slovak PM Fico’s Condition “Extremely Serious” After Shooting, Says Defence Minister

Bratislava: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in “extremely serious” condition following a shooting attack on Wednesday, according to Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, as reported by Al Jazeera, citing the TASR state-run news agency. The critically wounded prime minister is still undergoing surgery in the town of Banska Bystrica. Slovak Interior Minister, Matus Sutaj Estok also said that Robert Fico’s condition remains critical, as per the doctors.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in “Critical Condition”

“We received information from the operating doctors that the prime minister is in a critical condition and his life is in danger and he is still in the operating theatre,” Estok told reporters at the hospital where Fico is being treated. He informed the gunman fired five shots at Fico, adding that the attack was “politically motivated.”

Who is Robert Fico?

Robert Fico, who is a four-time Prime Minister of Slovakia, was wounded in a shooting incident on Wednesday (local time) in Handlova, reported the local newspaper, The Slovak Spectator. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was critically injured in an assassination attempt on Wednesday. Later he was hospitalized following the attack and is undergoing treatment. Several shots were fired at the scene when the PM came out to meet the people. The alleged shooter was arrested on-site and the area was evacuated.

According to witnesses, shots were heard when the PM came out to meet the people who welcomed him. Fico was then seen on the ground with blood stains news agency ANI reported. Fico was shot by a 71-year-old man in the mining town of Handlova. According to eyewitnesses, the man shot the premier several times after a cabinet meeting as he was greeting supporters.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico injured in an assassination attempt| Biden to Putin; Global leaders condemn shooting attack on Slovak PM

Leaders from various countries have condemned the shooting incident targeting PM Fico and expressed their hopes for his swift recuperation. Global responses condemning the shooting assault on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico flooded in from around the world, accompanied by wishes for his rapid recovery. Fico remains under treatment, with his condition described as “extremely serious.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he was “shocked” to hear about the incident. Sharing a post on X, Sunak wrote, “Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the act of violence against Slovakia’s head of state. “A terrible attack on the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. We strongly condemn this act of violence against the head of the government of our neighboring partner state. Everything possible should be done so that violence does not become the norm in any country, in any form and in any field. We sincerely hope for a speedy recovery of Robert Fico and express our support to the people of Slovakia,” reads the post on X.

Жахливий напад на Прем’єр-міністра Словаччини Роберта Фіцо.

Рішуче засуджуємо цей акт насильства проти очільника уряду нашої сусідньої держави-партнера. Слід зробити все можливе, щоб насильство не стало нормою в жодній країні, у жодній формі та в жодній сфері.

Щиро сподіваємося…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 15, 2024

Sharing a post on X, Romanian President, Klaus Lohannis,  condemned the attack on the Slovak PM, and wished him a “full and speedy recovery.” “Appalled to learn about the shooting of the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. I strongly condemn such extremist acts, which threaten our core European values, the Romanian President wrote on X.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wished for Fico’s quick recovery. “I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country,” reads the post.

I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!

— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) May 15, 2024

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic also condemned the assassination attempt. “I strongly condemn the shameful, criminal and cowardly attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitz. Shots at Robert are shots at freedom and democracy. There can be no place for violence in politics. I expect the perpetrators to be brought to justice, and I wish Robert Fitz, a proven Serbian friend, to win this battle and recover as soon as possible.”

Најоштрије осуђујем сраман, злочиначки и кукавички напад на словачког премијера Роберта Фица.

Пуцњи на Роберта су пуцњи у слободу и демократију. У политици не може бити места насиљу.

Очекујем да се починиоци приведу правди, а Роберту Фицу, доказаном српском пријатељу, желим да… pic.twitter.com/Te16oVY3iy

— Милош Вучевић (@milos_vucevic) May 15, 2024

Fico previously served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018.