Slovakian PM seriously hurt after assassination attempt
The Independent|May 16, 2024
Man in his seventies held after Robert Fico shot three times
HOLLY EVANS MATT MATHERS
Slovakian PM seriously hurt after assassination attempt

Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico was serioulsy injured yesterday after a shooting described by government officials as an assassination attempt. The incident took place in Handlova, a small mining town about 193km (120 miles) northeast of the capital Bratislava, after a government meeting yesterday. The 59year-old premier was hit in the stomach during the attack, and underwent major surgery.

Speaking late last night, deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba said the operation “went well” and added: “I guess in the end he will survive ... he’s not in a life-threatening situation at this moment.”

After the incident, Mr Fico was bundled into his car by his security team before being taken to hospital. A suspect, understood to be a 71-year-old former security guard, has been detained after dramatic images showed a man handcuffed on the ground.

The gunman fired five shots and three are believed to have struck the PM. Mr Taraba said one bullet went through Mr Fico’s stomach and a second hit a joint.

The shooting occurred in front of the local House of Culture, where Mr Fico came to meet with supporters. A reporter for the daily newspaper Dennik N said they heard shooting and then saw rescuers carrying Mr Fico, an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, to a car. “I was just going to shake his hand,” said a man who witnessed the shooting. His wife said she “almost became deaf” after hearing three or four shots ring out.

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