Slovakian PM Fico operated after attack. "Condition still very serious"
Fico was operated on for five hours, he is now in an intensive care unit
3' min read
3' min read
The condition of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, wounded by gunfire after a government meeting in Handlova and after undergoing surgery has stabilised but is still serious, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak announced, as reported by the Tasr news agency. "Last night, doctors at the 'Roosvelt' hospital in Banska Bystrica managed to stabilise the patient's condition. Today they will take further steps towards his recovery," Kalinak said in statements relayed by Slovak TV station Ta3. "Unfortunately, we cannot speak of a positive prognosis for now because the wounds are very extensive and the body is reacting with difficulty. We have a lot of confidence in the medical team,' the Slovakian minister added. Hospital director Miriam Lapunikova said that yesterday two surgical teams operated on PM Fico for five hours. He is now in the Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit. This was reported by the Tasr news agency. "The patient had multiple gunshot wounds," the director said, asking the media to respect Fico's privacy.
'Fortunately,' Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC, 'as far as I know, the operation he underwent went well and I believe he will eventually survive. Peter Pellegrini, the president-elect of Slovakia, said he was able to speak with PM Fico in the hospital, reports the Guardian.
A 'political' attack
."Yesterday's was a premeditated attempted murder: the political clash led to an attempted murder," Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said again. The attacker 'is a lone wolf, and is not part of any political movement, but was dissatisfied with the outcome of the elections', added Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok.
According to the preliminary investigation by the Slovak police, the bomber was explicitly aiming at the premier and hit him with three to four shots. The officers arrested a 71-year-old man, Juraj Cintula, who was charged by the police with premeditated murder in revenge. Marzika tv reports. The man is currently in a police cell at the National Criminal Agency in Nitra. According to Slovak media, the 71-year-old pensioner said he was proud of what he had done.
The reactions
.'I am completely shocked by today's brutal and reckless attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in the strongest possible terms,' Slovak President Zuzana Caputova wrote on X. "I wish him much strength at this critical time and a speedy recovery. My thoughts also go to his family and loved ones," she added. The 'cowardly ambush' was also condemned by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, while the solidarity of the opposition forces in Bratislava arrived: 'I am shocked and appalled by the attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico in Handlova,' said the leader of the opposition Slovak Progressive party, Michal Šimečka. 'We unequivocally and firmly condemn any kind of violence'. Among the other well-wishers were German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg.
