Bratislava: Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has overcome a life-threatening situation after undergoing surgery following a grave shooting incident on Wednesday during a public gathering. Fico, a divisive figure at home and controversial within the EU for his calls to end military aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, is now reported to be in stable condition.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition after being shot several times, according to the deputy prime minister, Tomas Taraba, said to media. Mr. Fico's surgery had gone "well" and he expressed optimism about his recovery.
The incident took place in Handlova town, around 180 km northeast of Bratislava, as per local media reports. Multiple shots were fired at Fico, 59. Reports suggest he was shot point-blank. The PM collapsed and was then carried to a car by his security detail.
Immediately after the shooting, Fico was transported first by car and then by helicopter to a regional hospital, as it was deemed too urgent to move him on the ground. Following the shooting, he spent several hours in surgery "fighting for his life," according to Defence Minister Robert Kalinak.
A suspect was in custody after being detained at the scene, and an initial investigation found "a clear political motivation" behind the assassination attempt, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said as he briefed reporters alongside the defense minister. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár also referred to it as an assassination attempt in a social media post.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack during a political event, expressing shock over the incident and terming it a “cowardly and dastardly act”.