Slovak government confirms assassination against Prime Minister Fico

A Slovak Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that an assassination attempt by Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, has occurred.

The Slovak Government office said Fico is in danger for life as a result of injuries, and that he was taken by helicopter to the Banska Bistrica city hospital.

Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four bullets were fired near the City Culture House, Handlova, about 150 km northeast of the capital, according to TA3.

Fico had just come out of a government meeting when a suspect fired on him.

He was aware when he was sent to a Handlova hospital, where he was treated with lead-related wound, a hospital spokesman said earlier in an answer to Reuters through email.

He was transported to a higher-level hospital after being first treated at Handlova's hospital, the spokesman said.

Slovakia Parliament Deputy Speaker Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident initially during a parliamentary session, which he postponed for an indefinite date, the Slovak news agency T reported. ASR.

Journalists, who were at the scene, said several shootings were heard.

A video footage shows Ficon coming in from security guards in a hurry to a car that quickly left the country.

Police are also seen arresting a person believed to be the suspect.

Slovakia's president, Zuzana Capuova, condemned the “brutal and ruthless” attack on the prime minister.

“I am shocked”, Capuova said.

“Robert Ficos I wish a lot of strength in this difficult time, and I hope that he will recover very quickly from this” attack, she said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack on Fico.

“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our common good”, she said. /rel

Slovakia's prime minister injured