The Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot in a “brutal” assassination attempt and was airlifted to Banska Bystrica Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
Fico has come under fire recently as he has opposed Ukraine’s membership for NATO and has claimed that life in Kyiv is “normal.”
The shooting took place in broad daylight outside the House of Culture in Handlova as he was meeting his supporters, the Prime Minister has been “shot multiple times.”
Four shots rang out after Fico walked outside following a government meeting and the Slovakian Prime Minister was allegedly shot in the stomach.
Robert Fico’s personal Facebook page said in a statement, “He has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition.
“At this moment he is transported by helicopter to Banská Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure.
“The next few hours will decide.”
WATCH: Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico taken to his car after shooting, current condition unknown pic.twitter.com/l7S2eaAEHp
— BNO News (@BNONews) May 15, 2024
President Zuzana Caputova called the shooting a “brutal and ruthless” attack on the Prime Minister and a spokesman for Slovakia’s Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that this is an assassination attempt on Fico.
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was “shocked” by the assassination attempt on Fico.
The British Prime Minister posted on X, “Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, wrote on X, “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister Orban who is a close ally of Vladimir Putin and Fico said, “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!”
Slovakian police were seen rushing to the scene and detained the suspect and according to Associated Press, Fico was rapidly moved into a car by his security.
A witness told Slovak newspaper, Dennik N, “I was just going to shake his hand,” then a woman head “three or four gunshots.”
‼️ The shooter has been detained, according to preliminary police reports, he was aiming precisely at the prime minister – HNonline.
Video: police detain the shooter at the scene of the assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/Cl9dwUwfqv
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 15, 2024
She added, “When the shots rang out, I almost became deaf.”
The Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs wrote on X, “Whatever political or other differences there are, violence is completely unacceptable.
“I wish speedy recovery to Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. I condemn this assassination attempt and call for thorough investigation.”
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