Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico shot, transported to hospital

6 months ago 23

Est. 2min

15-05-2024 (updated: 15-05-2024 )

Content-Type:

News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

According to witnesses who were at the scene, Fico walked up to the people who were greeting him and that is when several shots were fired. Fico then fell to the ground. [EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK]

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD, S&D) was shot on Wednesday afternoon (15 may) and has been transported to hospital, according to Denník N.

The shots were fired in front of the House of Culture in the Slovak city of Handlová in Western Slovakia, where the government was meeting, just as the prime minister was walking among citizens.

Denník N reporter Daniel Vražda did not see the incident, but he was nearby and heard several shots. He then saw the prime minister being lifted off the ground by security guards, loaded into a car, and driven away.

According to witnesses who were at the scene, Fico walked up to the people who were there to greet him and several shots were fired. Available information suggests four to five shots were fired in total, after which Fico fell to the ground.

The alleged shooter has been arrested.

According to EU sources, the Slovak Prime minister is alive.

European leaders react

Reactions to the incident keep pouring in. Czech Prime minister Petr Fiala posted a statement on website X shortly after.

Zpráva o postřelení slovenského premiéra Roberta Fica je šokující. Přeji panu premiérovi, ať je co nejdříve v pořádku. Násilí nesmíme tolerovat, nesmí mít ve společnosti místo.

— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) May 15, 2024

And Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is among the first to have expressed outrage.

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 and his family.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 15, 2024

This story is being updated