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Slovakia was plunged into shock and disbelief as news emerged that Prime Minister Robert Fico had been shot multiple times in an assassination attempt. Fico, known for his controversial political stances and close ties to Russia, is currently fighting for his life after undergoing extensive surgery. He is expected to survive.
The incident occurred after an off-site government meeting in the central Slovakian town of Handlova. Fico, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, had recently won a third term as prime minister, running a campaign critical of Western support for Ukraine. His victory last October had raised eyebrows, with his pledge to end Slovak military support for Ukraine and block its NATO ambitions.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok described the attack as politically motivated, stating that initial interviews with the suspect revealed the assailant's intentions. Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed that Fico had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, with the prime minister currently in critical condition undergoing surgery.
The attempted assassination has sent shockwaves across Slovakia, with many viewing it as an attack on the country's democracy. President Zuzana Caputova condemned the act, emphasizing that it was not only an attack on Fico but on the democratic establishment as a whole. She urged the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed rumors as law enforcement agencies continue their investigation.
International leaders, including US President Joe Biden, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and European Commission.
President Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed solidarity with Slovakia and wished Fico a speedy recovery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to prevent violence from becoming normalized.
Fico's tenure as prime minister has been marked by controversy, including mass protests in 2018 following the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak, who reported on corruption linked to Fico and his party SMER. Despite his resignation in the aftermath of the protests, Fico remained a prominent figure in Slovakian politics.
As Slovakia grapples with the aftermath of this brazen attack, the nation remains united in its hope for Fico's recovery and etermination to uphold its democratic values. The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing, with authorities committed to
uncovering the motives behind this tragic incident.
