Suspected assassination attempt: Prime Minister of Slovakia shot in broad daylight

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was rushed to the hospital after being shot today (Wednesday) on his way to a press conference. According to reports in the local media, police have arrested a suspect in the shooting.

The shooting incident took place in the town of Handlova in the north of the country, about 150 km from the capital Bratislava. According to reports, four bullets were fired at Fico, with one of them hitting his stomach and injuring him. The Prime Minister's security guards placed the wounded leader in his car and drove away to the local hospital.

Videos published on social networks showed the moments of the arrest of the shooter, who was handed over for investigation. At this stage, the circumstances of the incident are not yet clear.

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová condemned what she called a “brutal and reckless” attack on Fico. “I’m shocked. I wish Roberto Fico all the strength in this critical moment to recover from the attack,” Čaputová wrote on Facebook.

Fico was elected Prime Minister in September 2023, and took office last October. His election caused a widespread uproar in the country due to his pro-Russian positions, as he is considered close to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and opposes the transfer of military aid to Ukraine.