Pro-Russian Slovakia PM’s assassination attempt ‘politically motivated’, government claims
Slovakia’s pro-Russia prime minister Robert Fico was on Wednesday night fighting for life after he was shot in a “politically motivated” assassination attempt.
Doctors were operating on the populist leader several hours after a gunman fired at least four times at him as he met supporters in the western town of Handlova.
Robert Kalnia, the Slovakian defence minister, described Mr Fico’s condition as “extremely serious”, with at least one bullet hitting him in the abdomen.
“I would like to thank all the emergency services and doctors […] who at this moment are still fighting for the life of the prime minister,” he said. “His situation is bad.”
Slovakia’s deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC he believed Mr Fico “will survive” and is no longer in a life-threatening situation.
“I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment,” he told BBC’s Newshour late on Wednesday.
The suspect, who witnesses said called for Mr Fico’s attention before opening fire at close range, was last night in police custody after being tackled by the prime minister’s security detail.
He was named as Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old government critic and poet from the western town of Levice, who was reported to have owned the gun legally.
Matus Sutaj Estok, the interior minister, said an initial investigation showed there was a “clear political motivation” behind the attempted assassination.
He said the suspect conceived of the plot in the wake of Mr Fico’s re-election to a third term last year.
In a video shared on social media apparently after his detention, Mr Cintula said he “did not agree with government policy”.
The leader of the Left-wing nationalist Direction-Social Democracy party (Smer), Mr Fico campaigned for office on a nationalist platform of ending weapons deliveries to Ukraine and focusing on the needs of citizens impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
In office, the 59-year-old has hit out at EU sanctions on Russia and halted all arms deliveries to Ukraine, earning praise from the Kremlin.
Describing the shooting as a “monstrous” crime, Vladimir Putin said in a telegram to Slovakia’s president: “I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation.”
World leaders were united in condemnation of the attack, with Joe Biden offering American help as it grappled with what he called an “horrific act of violence”.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said he was “shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family”.
Smer politicians pointed the finger of blame at progressive journalists for stoking hatred against a prime minister known for his love of bodybuilding, fast cars, and football, and hatred of migrants and Covid regulations.
Lubos Blaha, the deputy parliament speaker and a close ally of Mr Fico, blamed what he called the “liberal media” and Slovakia’s political opposition for creating an atmosphere that led to the shooting.
Mr Sutaj Estok also claimed the media were to blame. He criticised reporters for “sowing this hatred” and abdicating their “social responsibility”. They must “stop this hate”, he added.
General Prosecutor Maroš Žilinka vowed that law enforcement would be uncompromising in pursuing justice and punishment for the attacker.
“It is the culmination of those sentiments that are nurtured in society. It is a manifestation of hatred, a manifestation of an attack not only on a person, but also as an attack on the prime minister, as well as an attack on the very essence of statehood,” he said on social media.
Mr Fico, 59, was greeting a crowd in Handlova after a government meeting when the attacker opened fire.
A voice was heard shouting “Robo come here” to the prime minister from the crowd of about 50 onlookers outside a cultural centre before several shots rang out at about 2.50pm local time.
“He shouted at him to come closer, he lured him to him and pulled out a gun,” said one witness.
“When the shots rang out, I almost became deaf,” a woman at the scene added.
Elected for fourth time
Footage of the shooting showed the prime minister doubling over as he was hit, slumping into a flower bed with his back to the metal railing separating him from the public.
As his security detail and police enter the crowd, Mr Fico is carried, bent double, to a car by two of his guards, while the others flank them on their guard for further attacks.
The camera pans round to show two policemen on top of what appears to be the suspect on the ground. Mr Fico’s car then races off at speed.
Mr Fico, who was elected for a fourth stint as prime minister in October after running a campaign promising to end support for Ukraine, was flown by helicopter to Banska Bystrica Hospital from Handlova, which is 93 miles from the capital Bratislava.
Footage showed the prime minister being rushed into the hospital on a stretcher. A message posted on Mr Fico’s Facebook account said his condition was “life-threatening”.
“The next few hours will decide,” it said, explaining he was taken to Banska Bystrica Hospital, 63 miles away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava for emergency surgery.
Mobile phones confiscated
Before Mr Fico was taken into the operating room, medical staff at the hospital had their mobile phones confiscated to ensure a news blackout around the surgery.
This is the first assassination attempt on a senior politician in the modern history of Slovakia, which separated from the Czech Republic on Jan 1 1993.
However, government officials have faced intensifying death threats since the war in Ukraine.
Until the Left-wing populist’s election, Slovakia was one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters. However, Mr Fico has railed against EU sanctions on the Kremlin and opposed sending weapons to Ukraine.
His victory was seen as a blow to pro-Western forces and a boon to leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orban, who has also criticised sanctions for harming the economy.
Mr Fico has refused to join a Czech-led coalition of EU states buying ammunition for Kyiv. He campaigned on a promise not to send “one more round” to Ukraine from Slovakia, where there is deep distrust of Nato.
‘Ukraine should be blamed’
Margarita Simonyan, the editor of Kremlin propaganda channel RT, said that Ukraine should be blamed for the assassination attempt.
That would suit Moscow, but there is no serious suggestion that Kyiv is responsible for an attack on the leader of a Nato and EU member state, which are two organisations Ukraine wants to join.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, condemned the attack as “appalling”.
“We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia,” he said.
Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia’s president-elect and a close ally of Mr Fico, called the assassination attempt “a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far”.
Mr Fico led the ruling Smer party in 1999 and has led it ever since. He holds the record for the longest serving prime minister in Slovak history.
The key developments were:
Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico was rushed to hospital after being shot multiple times
Slovak media said the shooter is a 71-year-old man
Mr Fico has undergone at least three-and-a-half hours of surgery
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, claimed the media were to blame for the assassination attempt, criticising reporters for “sowing this hatred”
8:46PM
Slovakian prime minister fighting for his life after assassination attempt
Robert Fico, Slovakia’s pro-Russian prime minister, is fighting for his life after being shot by a would-be assassin.
The pro-Russian firebrand, 59, was hit in the hand, stomach and leg as we went to greet a crowd in the Western Slovakian town of Handlova after a government meeting.
A voice was heard shouting “Robo come here” to the prime minister from the crowd of about 50 onlookers outside a cultural centre before four shots rang out at about 2.50pm local time.
“He shouted at him to come closer, he lured him to him and pulled out a gun,” said one witness.
Fico ally: Media has spread hatred
Another ally of Robert Fico has launched an attack on the media, claiming they spread the “hatred” that prompted the assassination attempt.
“I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years,” Lubos Blaha, a deputy chairman of Mr Fico’s party, said.
“You, liberal media and political opposition - what hatred you spread against Robert Fico.”
8:26PM
Police work at the scene after a shooting incident in which Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was wounded
Slovakian minister: Media to blame
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, claimed the media were to blame for the assassination attempt on Robert Fico.
He criticised reporters for “sowing this hatred” and abdicating their “social responsibility”. They must “stop this hate”, he added.
7:48PM
‘No one wants a Slovakia like this’
Robert Kalinak, Slovakia’s defence minister, said he could not find the words to describe the “madness” of the assassination attempt.
“No one wants a Slovakia like this,” he added, calling for people to “reflect” on what took place.
Slovakia's Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok speaks during a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak
Slovakia's Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok speaks during a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak CREDIT: AP Photo/Denes Erdos
7:17PM
‘Social media hate’ blamed for attack
Mr Estok has appealed to Slovakians in the aftermath of the shooting, saying: “We cant respond to hate with hate.”
Hate towards politicians and their parties must stop, he said, adding that protection will now be offered to all officials.
“What has started now was sown by many of you, by your hate,” he said, referring to social media users.
7:14PM
Police say attacker was politically motivated
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, said: “The initial information that we have clearly points to a political motivation and a decision by the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election.
“The perpetrator shot five times and the prime minister is in critical condition,” he said.
“An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy”
7:07PM
Surgery has been going on for three-and-a-half hours
The police have revealed that Robert Fico is still undergoing surgery, which has now been going on for three-and-a-half hours.
“The situation is really complicated,” Mr Kalinak said.
7:06PM
Defence minister thanks doctors
Robert Kalinak, from the Ministry of Defence, has thanked emergency workers who are involved in efforts to save Robert Fico.
“Slovakia has never before been confronted with a situation like this,” he said.
“I would like to thank all the emergency services and doctors [..] who at this moment are still fighting for the life of the prime minister.
“His situation is bad, and we all pray that the strong bodily constitution of our prime minister will lead to good news.”
6:49PM
Watch: Fico frantically evacuated from the scene
In footage of the aftermath of the shooting, a suited Mr Fico is seen being picked up from a flower-bed by four bodyguards, his back to the metal railing separating him from the public.
As armed security and police enter the crowd, Mr Fico is carried, bent double, to a car by two of his guards, while the others flank them.
The camera pans round to show two policemen on top of what appears to be another person on the ground, The railing is pulled back so Mr Fico’s car can pass, which it does at speed.
6:37PM
Slovakia’s president confirms suspect has been detained
Zuzana Caputova, Slovakia’s president, has confirmed that police have detained the attacker, already identified locally as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, promising that officials will provide more information “as soon as possible”.
She had earlier condemned the attack as “brutal and ruthless”.
Zuzana Caputova speaks during a press conference in Bratislava on Wednesday
6:28PM
EU chief: ‘Violence undermines democracy’
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the assassination attempt against 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, his family,” she said.
6:17PM
Fico ally blames ‘liberal media’ for creating conditions that led to attack
Robert Fico’s close ally Lubos Blaha, deputy parliament speaker and deputy chairman of the prime minister’s Smer party, blamed what he called the “liberal media” and the opposition for creating an atmosphere that led to the shooting.
“For Smer, I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years,” Mr Blaha said. “You, liberal media and political opposition. What hatred you spread against Robert Fico.”
Slovakia’s biggest opposition party Progressive Slovakia called off a protest against government public broadcaster reforms that had been set for Wednesday evening.
“We call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps that could contribute to an escalation of tension,” said Michal Simecka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, a liberal pro-Western party.
5:59PM
Mobile phones ‘confiscated’ at emergency ward treating Fico
Before Prime Minister Fico was taken into the operating room, medical staff at the hospital had their mobile phones confiscated to ensure a news blackout around the surgery, according to Slovakian television channel Markíza.
Mr Fico has undergone a CT scan, the broadcaster reported.
According to Slovakian daily newspaper Denník N, Mr Fico is still in the operating room.
5:51PM
Biden ‘alarmed’ by assassination attempt against Fico
Joe Biden, the US President, has reacted to the shooting.
“I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. We condemn this horrific act of violence,” he said.
“Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.”
5:39PM
High-profile shootings in Slovakia
Wednesday’s attack on Robert Fico is the latest in a string of shooting incidents Slovakia has suffered in recent years.
In 2022, two people were killed in a shootout outside an LGBT venue in central Bratislava.
In 2018, the killing of Ján Kuciak, a Slovakian investigative journalist, and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, shocked the country, sparking mass popular protests and a political crisis that led to Mr Fico’s resignation as prime minister.
5:24PM
Nato chief Stoltenberg hopes for speedy recovery
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was “shocked and appalled by the shooting” of Robert Fico on Wednesday.
“I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia,” Mr Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
5:17PM
Eyewitness describes ‘nightmare’ shooting
An eyewitness who was at the scene where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot said it felt like a “nightmare” after hearing the gunman unleash a hail of bullets.
“I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground,” eyewitness Lubica Valkovasaid.
“I think it is a nightmare, I’ll tell you I think I will not wake up from this,” the 66-year-old told Reuters. “That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia.”
5:10PM
Putin: ‘Monstrous crime can have no justification’
Vladimir Putin has reacted to the attack on Robert Fico.
“There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation,” he said.
“ I kindly request to convey to Prime Minister Fico the sincerest words of support, as well as wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he said in a telegram to Slovak president Zuzana Caputova.
4:58PM
Slovakia’s interior ministry warns over calls for retaliation
The Slovakian interior ministry has warned that Wednesday’s shooting has sparked a wave of calls for retaliation.
“In connection with this event, a lot of information and calls for retaliation and escalation of violence have begun to spread in the information space,” it said through a Facebook page set up to counter disinformation and fake news.
“We appeal to citizens to exercise restraint, not spread unverified information or support hatred and calls for violence.”
4:52PM
Attacker must be punished, says Russian ambassador
The Russian ambassador to Slovakia has condemned the shooting of Robert Fico on Wednesday.
“I strongly condemn this act of violence and express my conviction of the necessity of punishment for the perpetrators,” Igor Bratchikov said in a letter to Fico published by the Russian embassy.
4:47PM
Germany’s Scholz condemns ‘cowardly attack’
Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, has condemned the attack on Robert Fico, calling it “cowardly”.
“Violence must not be existant in European politics,” he said.
4:40PM
How Robert Fico turned Slovakia into one of Russia’s only allies
Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister who was shot on Wednesday, has presided over a shift from pro-Western values to growing sympathies with Russia since his election victory last September, writes James Rothwell.
The Left-wing populist has steered his Smer (Direction-Social Democracy) party strongly against military support for Ukraine, vowing in a pre-election interview with The Telegraph last year that he would cut arms supplies to Kyiv altogether.
“It is better to negotiate peace for 10 years and stop military operations than to let the Ukrainians and Russians kill each other for another 10 years without results,” he said.
Read more here.
Robert Fico called for an end to sanctions on Russia
Robert Fico called for an end to sanctions on Russia CREDIT: Denes Erdos/AP
4:37PM
Pictured: Paramedics wheel Fico into hospital
Robert Fico was flown by helicopter to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, in central Slovakia
Robert Fico was flown by helicopter to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, in central Slovakia CREDIT: Jan Kroslaik/TASR Slovakia
The Slovakian prime minister suffered life-threatening wounds
The Slovakian prime minister suffered life-threatening wounds CREDIT: AFP
4:27PM
Suspected Fico attacker named as 71-year-old Slovakian man
Mr Fico’s suspected attacker has been named in the media as Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old man
Doctors were operating on the populist leader several hours after a gunman fired at least four times at him as he met supporters in the western town of Handlova.
Robert Kalnia, the Slovakian defence minister, described Mr Fico’s condition as “extremely serious”, with at least one bullet hitting him in the abdomen.
“I would like to thank all the emergency services and doctors […] who at this moment are still fighting for the life of the prime minister,” he said. “His situation is bad.”
Slovakia’s deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC he believed Mr Fico “will survive” and is no longer in a life-threatening situation.
“I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment,” he told BBC’s Newshour late on Wednesday.
The suspect, who witnesses said called for Mr Fico’s attention before opening fire at close range, was last night in police custody after being tackled by the prime minister’s security detail.
He was named as Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old government critic and poet from the western town of Levice, who was reported to have owned the gun legally.
Matus Sutaj Estok, the interior minister, said an initial investigation showed there was a “clear political motivation” behind the attempted assassination.
He said the suspect conceived of the plot in the wake of Mr Fico’s re-election to a third term last year.
In a video shared on social media apparently after his detention, Mr Cintula said he “did not agree with government policy”.
The leader of the Left-wing nationalist Direction-Social Democracy party (Smer), Mr Fico campaigned for office on a nationalist platform of ending weapons deliveries to Ukraine and focusing on the needs of citizens impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
In office, the 59-year-old has hit out at EU sanctions on Russia and halted all arms deliveries to Ukraine, earning praise from the Kremlin.
Describing the shooting as a “monstrous” crime, Vladimir Putin said in a telegram to Slovakia’s president: “I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation.”
World leaders were united in condemnation of the attack, with Joe Biden offering American help as it grappled with what he called an “horrific act of violence”.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said he was “shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family”.
Smer politicians pointed the finger of blame at progressive journalists for stoking hatred against a prime minister known for his love of bodybuilding, fast cars, and football, and hatred of migrants and Covid regulations.
Lubos Blaha, the deputy parliament speaker and a close ally of Mr Fico, blamed what he called the “liberal media” and Slovakia’s political opposition for creating an atmosphere that led to the shooting.
Mr Sutaj Estok also claimed the media were to blame. He criticised reporters for “sowing this hatred” and abdicating their “social responsibility”. They must “stop this hate”, he added.
General Prosecutor Maroš Žilinka vowed that law enforcement would be uncompromising in pursuing justice and punishment for the attacker.
“It is the culmination of those sentiments that are nurtured in society. It is a manifestation of hatred, a manifestation of an attack not only on a person, but also as an attack on the prime minister, as well as an attack on the very essence of statehood,” he said on social media.
Mr Fico, 59, was greeting a crowd in Handlova after a government meeting when the attacker opened fire.
A voice was heard shouting “Robo come here” to the prime minister from the crowd of about 50 onlookers outside a cultural centre before several shots rang out at about 2.50pm local time.
“He shouted at him to come closer, he lured him to him and pulled out a gun,” said one witness.
“When the shots rang out, I almost became deaf,” a woman at the scene added.
Elected for fourth time
Footage of the shooting showed the prime minister doubling over as he was hit, slumping into a flower bed with his back to the metal railing separating him from the public.
As his security detail and police enter the crowd, Mr Fico is carried, bent double, to a car by two of his guards, while the others flank them on their guard for further attacks.
The camera pans round to show two policemen on top of what appears to be the suspect on the ground. Mr Fico’s car then races off at speed.
Mr Fico, who was elected for a fourth stint as prime minister in October after running a campaign promising to end support for Ukraine, was flown by helicopter to Banska Bystrica Hospital from Handlova, which is 93 miles from the capital Bratislava.
Footage showed the prime minister being rushed into the hospital on a stretcher. A message posted on Mr Fico’s Facebook account said his condition was “life-threatening”.
“The next few hours will decide,” it said, explaining he was taken to Banska Bystrica Hospital, 63 miles away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava for emergency surgery.
Mobile phones confiscated
Before Mr Fico was taken into the operating room, medical staff at the hospital had their mobile phones confiscated to ensure a news blackout around the surgery.
This is the first assassination attempt on a senior politician in the modern history of Slovakia, which separated from the Czech Republic on Jan 1 1993.
However, government officials have faced intensifying death threats since the war in Ukraine.
Until the Left-wing populist’s election, Slovakia was one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters. However, Mr Fico has railed against EU sanctions on the Kremlin and opposed sending weapons to Ukraine.
His victory was seen as a blow to pro-Western forces and a boon to leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orban, who has also criticised sanctions for harming the economy.
Mr Fico has refused to join a Czech-led coalition of EU states buying ammunition for Kyiv. He campaigned on a promise not to send “one more round” to Ukraine from Slovakia, where there is deep distrust of Nato.
‘Ukraine should be blamed’
Margarita Simonyan, the editor of Kremlin propaganda channel RT, said that Ukraine should be blamed for the assassination attempt.
That would suit Moscow, but there is no serious suggestion that Kyiv is responsible for an attack on the leader of a Nato and EU member state, which are two organisations Ukraine wants to join.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, condemned the attack as “appalling”.
“We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia,” he said.
Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia’s president-elect and a close ally of Mr Fico, called the assassination attempt “a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far”.
Mr Fico led the ruling Smer party in 1999 and has led it ever since. He holds the record for the longest serving prime minister in Slovak history.
The key developments were:
Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico was rushed to hospital after being shot multiple times
Slovak media said the shooter is a 71-year-old man
Mr Fico has undergone at least three-and-a-half hours of surgery
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, claimed the media were to blame for the assassination attempt, criticising reporters for “sowing this hatred”
8:46PM
Slovakian prime minister fighting for his life after assassination attempt
Robert Fico, Slovakia’s pro-Russian prime minister, is fighting for his life after being shot by a would-be assassin.
The pro-Russian firebrand, 59, was hit in the hand, stomach and leg as we went to greet a crowd in the Western Slovakian town of Handlova after a government meeting.
A voice was heard shouting “Robo come here” to the prime minister from the crowd of about 50 onlookers outside a cultural centre before four shots rang out at about 2.50pm local time.
“He shouted at him to come closer, he lured him to him and pulled out a gun,” said one witness.
Fico ally: Media has spread hatred
Another ally of Robert Fico has launched an attack on the media, claiming they spread the “hatred” that prompted the assassination attempt.
“I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years,” Lubos Blaha, a deputy chairman of Mr Fico’s party, said.
“You, liberal media and political opposition - what hatred you spread against Robert Fico.”
8:26PM
Police work at the scene after a shooting incident in which Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was wounded
Slovakian minister: Media to blame
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, claimed the media were to blame for the assassination attempt on Robert Fico.
He criticised reporters for “sowing this hatred” and abdicating their “social responsibility”. They must “stop this hate”, he added.
7:48PM
‘No one wants a Slovakia like this’
Robert Kalinak, Slovakia’s defence minister, said he could not find the words to describe the “madness” of the assassination attempt.
“No one wants a Slovakia like this,” he added, calling for people to “reflect” on what took place.
Slovakia's Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok speaks during a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak
Slovakia's Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok speaks during a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak CREDIT: AP Photo/Denes Erdos
7:17PM
‘Social media hate’ blamed for attack
Mr Estok has appealed to Slovakians in the aftermath of the shooting, saying: “We cant respond to hate with hate.”
Hate towards politicians and their parties must stop, he said, adding that protection will now be offered to all officials.
“What has started now was sown by many of you, by your hate,” he said, referring to social media users.
7:14PM
Police say attacker was politically motivated
Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, the Slovakian interior minister, said: “The initial information that we have clearly points to a political motivation and a decision by the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election.
“The perpetrator shot five times and the prime minister is in critical condition,” he said.
“An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy”
7:07PM
Surgery has been going on for three-and-a-half hours
The police have revealed that Robert Fico is still undergoing surgery, which has now been going on for three-and-a-half hours.
“The situation is really complicated,” Mr Kalinak said.
7:06PM
Defence minister thanks doctors
Robert Kalinak, from the Ministry of Defence, has thanked emergency workers who are involved in efforts to save Robert Fico.
“Slovakia has never before been confronted with a situation like this,” he said.
“I would like to thank all the emergency services and doctors [..] who at this moment are still fighting for the life of the prime minister.
“His situation is bad, and we all pray that the strong bodily constitution of our prime minister will lead to good news.”
6:49PM
Watch: Fico frantically evacuated from the scene
In footage of the aftermath of the shooting, a suited Mr Fico is seen being picked up from a flower-bed by four bodyguards, his back to the metal railing separating him from the public.
As armed security and police enter the crowd, Mr Fico is carried, bent double, to a car by two of his guards, while the others flank them.
The camera pans round to show two policemen on top of what appears to be another person on the ground, The railing is pulled back so Mr Fico’s car can pass, which it does at speed.
6:37PM
Slovakia’s president confirms suspect has been detained
Zuzana Caputova, Slovakia’s president, has confirmed that police have detained the attacker, already identified locally as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, promising that officials will provide more information “as soon as possible”.
She had earlier condemned the attack as “brutal and ruthless”.
Zuzana Caputova speaks during a press conference in Bratislava on Wednesday
6:28PM
EU chief: ‘Violence undermines democracy’
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the assassination attempt against 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, his family,” she said.
6:17PM
Fico ally blames ‘liberal media’ for creating conditions that led to attack
Robert Fico’s close ally Lubos Blaha, deputy parliament speaker and deputy chairman of the prime minister’s Smer party, blamed what he called the “liberal media” and the opposition for creating an atmosphere that led to the shooting.
“For Smer, I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years,” Mr Blaha said. “You, liberal media and political opposition. What hatred you spread against Robert Fico.”
Slovakia’s biggest opposition party Progressive Slovakia called off a protest against government public broadcaster reforms that had been set for Wednesday evening.
“We call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps that could contribute to an escalation of tension,” said Michal Simecka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, a liberal pro-Western party.
5:59PM
Mobile phones ‘confiscated’ at emergency ward treating Fico
Before Prime Minister Fico was taken into the operating room, medical staff at the hospital had their mobile phones confiscated to ensure a news blackout around the surgery, according to Slovakian television channel Markíza.
Mr Fico has undergone a CT scan, the broadcaster reported.
According to Slovakian daily newspaper Denník N, Mr Fico is still in the operating room.
5:51PM
Biden ‘alarmed’ by assassination attempt against Fico
Joe Biden, the US President, has reacted to the shooting.
“I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. We condemn this horrific act of violence,” he said.
“Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.”
5:39PM
High-profile shootings in Slovakia
Wednesday’s attack on Robert Fico is the latest in a string of shooting incidents Slovakia has suffered in recent years.
In 2022, two people were killed in a shootout outside an LGBT venue in central Bratislava.
In 2018, the killing of Ján Kuciak, a Slovakian investigative journalist, and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, shocked the country, sparking mass popular protests and a political crisis that led to Mr Fico’s resignation as prime minister.
5:24PM
Nato chief Stoltenberg hopes for speedy recovery
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was “shocked and appalled by the shooting” of Robert Fico on Wednesday.
“I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia,” Mr Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
5:17PM
Eyewitness describes ‘nightmare’ shooting
An eyewitness who was at the scene where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot said it felt like a “nightmare” after hearing the gunman unleash a hail of bullets.
“I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground,” eyewitness Lubica Valkovasaid.
“I think it is a nightmare, I’ll tell you I think I will not wake up from this,” the 66-year-old told Reuters. “That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia.”
5:10PM
Putin: ‘Monstrous crime can have no justification’
Vladimir Putin has reacted to the attack on Robert Fico.
“There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation,” he said.
“ I kindly request to convey to Prime Minister Fico the sincerest words of support, as well as wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he said in a telegram to Slovak president Zuzana Caputova.
4:58PM
Slovakia’s interior ministry warns over calls for retaliation
The Slovakian interior ministry has warned that Wednesday’s shooting has sparked a wave of calls for retaliation.
“In connection with this event, a lot of information and calls for retaliation and escalation of violence have begun to spread in the information space,” it said through a Facebook page set up to counter disinformation and fake news.
“We appeal to citizens to exercise restraint, not spread unverified information or support hatred and calls for violence.”
4:52PM
Attacker must be punished, says Russian ambassador
The Russian ambassador to Slovakia has condemned the shooting of Robert Fico on Wednesday.
“I strongly condemn this act of violence and express my conviction of the necessity of punishment for the perpetrators,” Igor Bratchikov said in a letter to Fico published by the Russian embassy.
4:47PM
Germany’s Scholz condemns ‘cowardly attack’
Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, has condemned the attack on Robert Fico, calling it “cowardly”.
“Violence must not be existant in European politics,” he said.
4:40PM
How Robert Fico turned Slovakia into one of Russia’s only allies
Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister who was shot on Wednesday, has presided over a shift from pro-Western values to growing sympathies with Russia since his election victory last September, writes James Rothwell.
The Left-wing populist has steered his Smer (Direction-Social Democracy) party strongly against military support for Ukraine, vowing in a pre-election interview with The Telegraph last year that he would cut arms supplies to Kyiv altogether.
“It is better to negotiate peace for 10 years and stop military operations than to let the Ukrainians and Russians kill each other for another 10 years without results,” he said.
Read more here.
Robert Fico called for an end to sanctions on Russia
Robert Fico called for an end to sanctions on Russia CREDIT: Denes Erdos/AP
4:37PM
Pictured: Paramedics wheel Fico into hospital
Robert Fico was flown by helicopter to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, in central Slovakia
Robert Fico was flown by helicopter to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, in central Slovakia CREDIT: Jan Kroslaik/TASR Slovakia
The Slovakian prime minister suffered life-threatening wounds
The Slovakian prime minister suffered life-threatening wounds CREDIT: AFP
4:27PM
Suspected Fico attacker named as 71-year-old Slovakian man
Mr Fico’s suspected attacker has been named in the media as Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old man
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