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Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times following a government meeting on Wednesday.
According to his official Facebook account, Fico’s condition is life-threatening and he’s being flown by helicopter to hospital for emergency treatment.
“At the moment he is being transported by helicopter to Banská Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of acute intervention. The next few hours will decide,” said the post.
The precise nature of Fico’s injuries is not known, with conflicting reports emerging from local media.
The incident happened on Wednesday after a government meeting in the town of Handlová, central Slovakia.
Local media reported the premier was shot several times and then rushed away by his security detail into a car.
A woman at the scene was cited by news outlet MNT.SK as saying that she had heard three or four shots, and saw Fico fall to the ground. A witness told Reuters he heard several shots and that a man had been detained by police.
The populist prime minister won a general election last September and has faced widespread criticism for polarizing politics in the central European nation with pro-Russian comments and a push to extend state control over the media.
There was an immediate outpouring of concern and condemnation from political leaders at the attack.
“Utterly shocked by today’s brutal and reckless attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms,” outgoing Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Michal Šimečka, an opposition leader, said he was “shocked and appalled” by the shooting.
“We unequivocally and strongly condemn any violence. We trust that Prime Minister Fico will be fine and that this terrible act will be brought to light as soon as possible,” Šimečka also said on X.
A video apparently filmed at the scene showed Fico’s security detail lifting him under the arms and loading him into the back of a black limousine.
Slovakia Parliament was informed of the attack and immediately suspended proceedings.
Good wishes for Fico poured in from European leaders who expressed their shock at the shooting.
“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,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“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!” said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of Fico in the European Council.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk added: “Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment.”
This developing story is being updated.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to amend the date of 2023’s general election.
