A shocking incident has rocked Slovakia as Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt in the town of Handlova. The suspected attacker, a 71-year-old former security guard at a shopping center, has been charged with attempted murder.
Reports indicate that the suspect is not affiliated with any political groups and is described as a member of the Slovak Society of Writers, with three collections of poetry to his name. Slovakia’s interior minister confirmed that the suspect acted alone and had participated in anti-government protests in the past.
The motive behind the attack is believed to be politically motivated, with the suspect allegedly targeting Prime Minister Fico following the recent presidential election won by Fico’s ally, President-elect Peter Pellegrini. The gunman fired five bullets at Fico as he greeted supporters after a government meeting, leaving the prime minister fighting for his life in the hospital.
Those who knew the suspect have expressed shock and disbelief at his actions, with his son stating that he had no knowledge of his father’s intentions. The suspect, who held a gun license, was not known to be a psychiatric patient.
As the investigation continues, the town of Levice, where the suspect resided, is reeling from the news. The Rainbow Literary Club, of which the suspect was a member, has condemned the attack and revoked his membership, emphasizing their apolitical stance. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event.