Slovak leader in serious state after assassination attempt

Too soon to say if he will recover; shooting reveals country’s deep political divisions

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Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in a serious condition and it is too soon to say whether he will recover, a deputy prime minister said on May 16.

Mr Fico, 59, was shot multiple times on May 15 in an assassination attempt that laid bare deep political divisions in the country.

"Unfortunately, I cannot say yet that we are winning (the battle to save Mr Fico) or that the prognosis is positive because the injuries caused by four gunshot wounds are so extensive that the body's response will still be very difficult," Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said.

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, speaking at the same news conference, said the shooter - who has been charged by the police with attempted murder - had acted alone and had previously taken part in anti-government protests.

"This is a lone wolf who had radicalised himself in the latest period after the presidential election (in April)," he said.

The suspect listed government policies on Ukraine and plans to reform the country's public broadcaster and dismantle the special prosecutor's office as reasons for the attack, the interior minister added.