Four shots were reportedly fired, out of which, one hit PM Fico in the abdomen. Fico was conscious upon arrival at Handlova hospital, where he received treatment for gunshot wounds.Medical personnel successfully stabilized his vital signs, reported Reuters quoting a hospital spokeswoman. The PM is reportedly in a life-threatening condition, according to government sources quoted by AFP.
Lubos Blaha, the deputy speaker of parliament, confirmed the incident during a parliamentary session and adjourned it indefinitely, as reported by the Slovak TASR news agency.
After the meeting in Handlova, northeast of the capital Bratislava, a Reuters witness reported hearing several shots fired. Police quickly detained a man at the scene, and security officials swiftly ushered someone into a car and drove away, according to the witness.
A person is detained after a shooting incident of Slovak PM Robert Fico (Photo: Reuters)
Emergency services dispatched a helicopter to Handlova after receiving reports that a 59-year-old man had been shot.
The shooting occurred in front of the local House of Culture, where Fico was scheduled to meet with supporters. Law enforcement has cordoned off the area, and according to a reporter from the daily newspaper Dennik N, the premier was seen being rushed to a vehicle by rescuers after the gunfire.
The wounded PM has undergone treatment at a hospital in Handlova and is now being transported to the capital, Bratislava, according to the hospital director speaking to AFP.
Several leaders expressed their shock on the incident. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova expressed her “utter shock” and offered prayers for the family. “Utterly shocked by today’s brutal attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms. I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones,” posted Caputova on X (formerly Twitter).
European Union head Ursula von der Leyen condemned “the vile attack”. “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family,” she said in a post on X .
Nato head Jens Stoltenberg said in a social media post that, he was “Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia.”
UK PM Rishi Sunak also offered his prayers. “Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.,” said Sunak.
After navigating a shifting political landscape, Robert Fico reclaimed the position of Prime Minister in Slovakia for the fourth time last year. Over his thirty-year career, Fico has oscillated between pro-European stances and nationalistic positions, sometimes opposing EU and US policies. He’s demonstrated adaptability, adjusting his course based on public sentiment and evolving political dynamics. In the aftermath of the shooting incident, Slovakia’s main opposition party canceled a scheduled protest against government reforms concerning the public broadcaster.