Slovakian leader Robert Fico remains in a "life-threatening condition" after being shot in an attempted assassination - as a suspect taken into custody was named.
The populist Prime Minister was in the town of Handlova - 112 miles north of Bratislava - and had left a Government meeting when he was shot at least four times outside the House of Culture. He was outside the building, meeting supporters at the time of the shooting, with witnesses reporting they heard multiple shots.
The pro-Russian leader, 59, was reportedly hit in the stomach. At least four shots were fired outside a cultural centre in the town of Handlova, nearly 85 miles northeast of the capital, where Fico was meeting with supporters, the government said. And just moments after security forces bundled the leader into a car, pictures from the scene show a suspect being detained on the ground. Local journalists reported hearing several shots fired following the cabinet meeting. Witnesses said they saw Mr Fico fall to the ground.
According to local Slovak TV station JOJ24, the suspect shooter has been named as Juraj Cintula, who has since been taken into custody. Police have since confirmed the pistol used for the shooting was legally owned but have not been drawn on confirming the suspect's ID. Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired.
Mr Fico was taken to a hospital in Banska Bystrica. Witnesses at the scene described their horror after seeing the leader shot. One man told Slovak newspaper Dennik N, "I was just going to shake his hand," while a woman said she head "three or four gunshots". She added: "When the shots rang out, I almost became deaf."
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister has also confirmed the attack was politically motivated. “The initial information that we have clearly points to a political motivation and a decision by the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election. The perpetrator shot five times and the prime minister is in critical condition,” Šutaj-Eštok said. "An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy."
In a statement outside of the the hospital caring for the Prime Minister, at around 8.10pm local time, authorities said Mr Fico is still 'fighting for his life' after more than three hours of surgery. They confirmed he suffered from 'several shots' during the attack and that 'the situation is really bad'.
Mr Fico holds a record as the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, having served for a total of more than 10 years. First elected to Parliament in 1992 (whilst within Czechoslovakia), he was later appointed to the Council of Europe.
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Thank you for reading our live coverage of the shooting of Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico.
At present, the controversial leader is said to be in surgery with no immediate update on his condition.
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RECAP: What we know so far
Serbian president offers support to Robert fico
Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vucic wished the prime minister well after the assassination attempt on his life.
"We all pray together for the health and recovery of our brother and friend Robert Fico and that God will grant him a long life after this tormenting attack," Mr Vucic said.
"We are talking about a man who is one of the few free and libertarian leaders in Europe," he said.
Defence minister appeared emotional at press conference
Robert Kaliňák was emotional during the briefing at the Banská Bystrica hospital. "We are fighting for Robert Fico's life," he declared.
"We were not the ones who talked about revenge," the defense minister added. "We were not the ones who abused the criminal law and the system. We did not abuse the statuses to insult other people". It's time to look in the mirror."
Fico ally says 'liberal media' is 'spreading hatred'
Lubos Blaha, a close ally of Robert Fico and deputy chairman of his SMER-SSD party, has hit out at what he calls the "liberal media" and opposition for creating a climate that led to the attack.
Mr Blaha said: "For SMER-SSD, I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years. You, liberal media and political opposition. What hatred you spread against Robert Fico."
Mayor of Bratislava labels attack 'inexcusable and shameful'
The mayor of Bratislava, Matúš Vallo, says the attack on Robert Fico is an inexcusable and shameful act.
He said: "I sincerely wish him to recover from his injuries as soon as possible. The hatred and tension that has built up in society has taken a heavy toll."
Vallo added: "The most important thing at this moment is that they do not escalate further, that politicians refrain from accusing each other and making strong statements. Also considering what preceded these shots and what could still follow."
Defence minister says 'no one wants a Slovakia like this'
Robert Kalinak, Slovakia’s defence minister, said he could not find the words to describe the “madness” of the assassination attempt.
“No one wants a Slovakia like this,” he added, calling for people to “reflect” on what took place.
President elect warns of 'threat to Slovak democracy'
President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, called the shooting "an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy".
He added: "If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty."
What has come out of this evening's press conference?
Slovakia's interior minister says an initial investigation shows there was "a clear political motivation" behind the assassination attempt on the country's prime minister.
Matus Sutaj Estok spoke to reporters Wednesday evening at a hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Prime Minister Robert Fico was being treated. "There's no doubt about it," Defense Minister Robert Kalinak added. Kalinak said doctors were fighting for Fico's life after he was shot multiple times following a political event.
'Situation is still really bad' says authorities
In a statement outside of the the hospital caring for the Prime Minister, authorities have said that after 3.5 hours of surgery, Mr Fico "is still 'fighting for his life".
They confirmed he suffered from "several shots" during the attack and that "the situation is really bad".
Defence minister thanks swiftness of emergency workers
Robert Kalinak, from the Ministry of Defence, has thanked emergency workers involved in efforts to save Robert Fico.
“Slovakia has never before been confronted with a situation like this,” he said. "I would like to thank all the emergency services and doctors [..] who at this moment are still fighting for the life of the prime minister. His situation is bad, and we all pray that the strong bodily constitution of our prime minister will lead to good news.”
Attack was 'politically motivated' says interior minister
Speaking at a press conference, Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, said: “The initial information that we have clearly points to a political motivation and a decision by the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election.
“The perpetrator shot five times and the prime minister is in critical condition,” he said. "An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy”.
Slovakian prime minister fighting for life after attempted assassination
Slovakia's populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded on Wednesday in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe.
The pro-Russian leader, 59, was reported to be fighting for his life after being hit in the stomach. At least four shots were fired outside a cultural centre in the town of Handlova, nearly 85 miles north east of the capital, where Mr Fico was meeting with supporters, the government said.
A suspect was in custody, the country's president said in a televised statement. Mr Fico was taken by helicopter to a hospital. The motive for the shooting was unclear.
Outgoing president Zuzana Caputova pleads for violence to end
"A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy," outgoing President Zuzana Caputova, a political rival of Fico, said in a televised statement.
"Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we've been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let's stop it."
Robert Fico's colourful personal life explained
Robert Fico is married to Svetlana Ficová, who is a lawyer and associate professor. After meeting when they were both studying law at Comenius University in Bratislava, the couple tied the knot in 1988. They have one son together, Michal.
The strength of their marriage was rocked when rumours swirled in 2010 regarding Mr Fico's alleged infidelity. The Prime Minister was reportedly snapped with then-25-year-old Jana Halászová, who was working as a secretary at the Smer-SD party headquarters.
Three years later, Mr Fico was allegedly pictured kissing Halászová after she became his secretary. They were seen having a private dinner at a chateau in Čereňany, a village in Western Slovakia. And in 2020, local media reported Mr Fico allegedly had another lover, who drove around in a luxury car despite her mediocre salary at the prosecution office.
Fico's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war explained
In 2022, Robert Fico reportedly said that the media was made up of an "organised criminal group with the aim of breaking Slovak statehood". Elsewhere, responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the politician expressed his opposition to supplying arms and ammunition.
He opposed the Ukrainian membership in NATO and suggested the accession of Ukraine to the European Union by 2025 was an unrealistic scenario. Mr Fico condemned Russia's invasion but was critical of the sanctions imposed against the country, arguing that they harmed the population and Europeans rather than the regime.
Mr Fico has also previously been accused of Islamophobia, saying in 2016 that Islam had "no place in Slovakia". Amid Wednesday's shooting, his major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, cancelled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television.
Robert Fico shooting: What we know so far
- Robert Fico is currently being operated on at a hospital in Banská Bystrica after the assassination in Handlova at aroiund 1.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT). According to the government office, he is in a "life-threatening condition".
- It is not confirmed what Mr Fico's injuries are, but there is a press confernece scheduled to take place at 6.30pm GMT.
- Around 4 shots were fired in front of the House of Culture, where the government was meeting, as the prime minister started talking to crowds people.
- Slovak television channel TA3 reported that a suspect - a 71-year-old man, believed to be from Levice - was detained.
- The pistol used for the shooting was legally owned, the police confirmed.
- Slovakian politicians and world leaders condemned the attack, some coalition politicians blamed the opposition and the media.
Press conference to take place from hospital shortly
At 7.30pm local time (6.30pm GMT) there will be a press briefing at the hospital in Banská Bystrica in connection with the attack on Robert Fico.
The upcoming presser was announced Slovakia's Minister of the Interior spokesman, Matej Neumann.
Employers union labels say attack on Robert Fico 'cannot be tolerated'
The Republican Union of Employers (RUZ) described the shooting of Robert Fico as a barbaric act. "Violence in a civilized society cannot be tolerated, and an attack on the Prime Minister is unimaginable in Europe of the 21st century," they wrote.
RÚZ wished the Prime Minister a speedy recovery and added that it condemns any violent attacks on politicians and public officials.
Man thought to be in his 70s detained by police
A man, said to be aged 71, has been detained by police.
Witnesses describe hearing the shots with one saying they "sounded like firecrackers on the ground". Images have also shown the moment the suspected attacker was detained by officers.
A suspect was in custody, the country's president said in a televised statement. Fico was taken by helicopter to a hospital. The motive for the shooting is currently unclear.
President Biden 'alarmed' by Robert Fico shooting - and says US is 'ready to assist'
Speaking of Robert Fico's shooting, US president Joe Biden said: “I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. We condemn this horrific act of violence,” he said.
“Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.”
Who is Robert Fico? Everything you need to know
Robert Fico, 59, was born in 1964 in what was then Czechoslovakia.
A member of the Communist Party before the dissolution of communism, he took a law degree in 1986 and was first elected to Slovakia's parliament in 1992 as a member of the Party of the Democratic Left.
Robert Fico served for several years in the 1990s as a governmental agent representing the Slovak Republic before the European Court of Human Rights and the European Commission of Human Rights.
In 1999, he became chairman of the Smer (Direction) party, of which he has been a pivotal figure ever since.= He and Smer have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of neighbouring Hungary, Viktor Orban.
Mr Fico returned to power in Slovakia last year, having previously served twice as prime minister, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018. His third term made him the longest-serving head of government in the history of Slovakia, a European Union and Nato member.
Robert Fico's pro-Russian policies including ban on providing Ukraine with arms
Robert Fico vowed to bring an end to Slovakia providing Ukraine with military support as it battled Russia's full-scale invasion, and has argued that Nato and the United States provoked Moscow into war.
After his election victory, the new government immediately halted arms deliveries to Ukraine. Thousands of protesters repeatedly took to the streets across Slovakia to rally against Mr Fico's pro-Russian and other policies, including plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor and to take control of public media.
Mr Fico's return to power caused concern among his critics that he and his party - which had long been tainted by scandal - would lead Slovakia away from its pro-Western course.
Robert Fico remains in surgery - local reports
Robert Fico is still in surgery in a critical condition according to local media Denník N.
The slovakian leader was taken to the hospital in Bésztercebánya just before 4.00pm, after being shot following a political event in Handlova.
New footage shows shocking moment Robert Fico is shot as gunfire rings out
Shock new footage shows the moment Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico was attacked today.
The video shows the panic on the ground as four shots are fired. Repoorts have suggested he was shot in stomach, leg and lungs. The footage also shows his secutiry detail jumping in to protect him. He was then bundled into a car and taken to hospital.
Mr Fico is said to be in a "life threatening condition", with the Government confirming the shooting was a deliberate assassination attempt on the slovakian leader's life.
WARNING, THE BELOW EMBEDDED TWEET FEATURES FOOTAGE THAT SOME MAY FIND DISTRESSING.
PM shot 'multiple times'
A post by Robert Fico's team on his Facebook page says he was "shot multiple times".
A witness at the scene earlier told Reuters he had heard several shots before seeing a man detained by police.
Eyewitness describes panic as she says attack 'felt like a nightmare'
An eyewitness at where Fico was shot said the attack felt like a “nightmare” after hearing three “quick” shots, fired one after the other as if you were to “throw a firecracker on the ground.”
“I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground,” eyewitness Lubica Valkovas said, adding that “he (Fico) fell next to the barrier.”
“I think it is a nightmare, I’ll tell you I think I will not wake up from this. That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia.”
Vladimir Putin reacts to shooting of Robert Fico
The Robert Fico attack has seen the president draw support from allyVladimir Putin. the Russian leader said: “I kindly request to convey to Prime Minister Fico the sincerest words of support, as well as wishes for a swift and full recovery.
“This hideous crime can have no justication,” he said.
New picture shows suspect being detained
Following the Robert Fico shooting, an image has now emerged showing up close the shooting suspect detained by police.
Fico, 59, was reportedly hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, where the leader was meeting with supporters. A suspect has been detained.
Finland and Norway condemn Robert Fico shooting
Condomening the Robert Fico shooting, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said "in the strongest terms" that "any attack against an elected politician is an attack against democracy".
Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he was "deeply shocked" by the shooting. "I strongly condemn this horrible act of violence. My thoughts are with Fico, his family and the people of Slovakia," he said.