Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in serious condition after undergoing another operation following an assassination attempt earlier this week. The 59-year-old leader was shot multiple times on Wednesday while greeting supporters after a government meeting in Handlová, a former coal mining town.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed Fico’s condition and stated that despite being conscious, he is still in a “very serious” state. The surgery aimed to remove dead tissues from his body, and he is currently stable in intensive care at the Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the attempted assassination. Interior Minister Matuš Šutaj-Eštok revealed that the suspect, who is not affiliated with any political party, had participated in anti-government protests in the past. The motive behind the attack is believed to be politically motivated.
As political activities in Slovakia continue as usual, the suspect’s detention will be reviewed at a hearing on Saturday at the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok. Prosecutors have cautioned against releasing any further details about the case, including the suspect’s identity.
Local media reports suggest that the suspect is a 71-year-old retiree with a background in poetry and novel writing, who may have previously worked as a security guard at a mall in the country’s southwest. The shocking attack has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting heightened security measures and a renewed focus on political tensions in Slovakia.