5/15/2024–|Last updated: 5/15/202411:24 PM (Mecca time)
The authorities announced in Slovakia That the Prime Minister Robert Fico He is still in critical condition after being subjected to an assassination attempt today, Wednesday, that shocked the country and received widespread global condemnation.
Slovak Interior Minister Matos Sutaj Istok told reporters at the hospital where Fico was being treated this evening, “We received information from operating doctors that the prime minister is in critical condition and that his life is in danger and he is still in the operating room.”
The government office said, in a statement, “An attempt occurred to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico today in front of the headquarters of a government meeting in Handelova” in the center of the country.
The statement added that the Prime Minister was transported by helicopter from the city of Handlova to the city of Banska Bystrica because the trip to the capital, Bratislava, takes a long time due to the need for urgent intervention.
A local news channel said that the Prime Minister (59 years old) was injured in the abdomen after he was shot 4 times.
For its part, Reuters reported that gunshots were heard following the government meeting held in Handlova, northeast of the capital, Bratislava.
She added that the police arrested a man, while the security forces pushed another person into a car and drove away.
The local newspaper “Denik In” reported that its correspondent heard several gunshots and then saw guards rushing to carry the prime minister and transfer him to a car.
Suspect arrested
Outgoing Slovak President Zuzana Caputova told reporters that police had arrested the attacker. She added, “I am in shock. We are all shocked by the horrific and terrible attack.”
Slovak television showed footage of a middle-aged man in jeans being handcuffed on the ground.
For his part, Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinjak announced that the attack on the Prime Minister was a “political attack.”
He added during a press conference at the hospital where Fico is being treated, “This is completely clear, and we must respond accordingly.”
Fico, who is described as close to… Kremlin– In office since October 2023, he has since made a series of statements that have strained relations between Slovakia and neighboring Ukraine.
He had previously headed the government between 2006 and 2010, as well as from 2012 to 2018. He was known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigrant positions, and was famous for launching the phrase, “No to Islam in my country.”
The British newspaper, the Financial Times, said that information was scarce about the suspect, noting that some politicians from the Prime Minister’s coalition were quick to claim that opposition incitement was what led to the assassination attempt.
It quoted Deputy Prime Minister Thomas Taraba as saying, “The entire spiteful opposition has blood on its fingers.”
Other politicians linked this attack to the sharp political divisions taking place in Slovakia.
Widespread condemnations
Condemnation of the attack continued globally, as the Russian President said Vladimir Putin It is a “heinous crime.”
He added in a statement published by the Kremlin, “I know that Robert Fico is a brave and strong-spirited man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him endure this difficult situation.”
He also denounced the American President Joe Biden He described the attack as a “terrible act of violence,” and said that he and US First Lady Jill Biden were praying for Vico’s speedy recovery, adding, “Our hearts are with his family and the people of Slovakia.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations condemned it António Guterres “The Secretary-General’s thoughts are with the Slovak Prime Minister and his loved ones at this difficult time,” his spokesman Farhan Haq said.
The Ukrainian President expressed Volodymyr Zelensky Condemning the “horrific” attack, he said that “every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country.”
As the French President expressed Emmanuel Macron Expressing his shock at the shooting of Fico, he said, “I strongly condemn this attack.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the “cowardly” attack on the Slovak Prime Minister.
The British Prime Minister said Rishi Sunak He was “shocked to hear this terrible news.”
The Italian Prime Minister described… Georgia Meloni What happened was a “brutal attack,” expressing its “shock and condemnation of all forms of violence and attacks on the basic principles of democracy and freedom.”
The Secretary General of NATO expressed,natto) Jens Stoltenberg expressed his shock at this attack, wishing Fico “the strength to recover quickly.”