The prime minister of Slovakia is currently in a stable condition after undergoing a lengthy surgical procedure, as reported by his medical team. Tomáš Taraba, the deputy prime minister, stated that Robert Fico is now out of danger and is expected to recover from the surgery.
The incident occurred during a political event in Handlova, causing alarm throughout Slovakia. This event took place shortly before the upcoming European elections.
“I guess in the end he will survive,” Taraba told the British broadcaster. “He’s not in a life-threatening situation at this moment.”
“One bullet went through the stomach and the second one hit the joint. Immediately he was transported to hospital,” the deputy PM detailed.
The 59-year-old individual was shot during a government meeting in the town of 16,000, which was once a hub for coal mining activities. According to Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, a suspect has been apprehended, and preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting was driven by a distinct political motive. A photograph of the suspect, a 71-year-old self-proclaimed writer and political activist, has been circulated by local media.
The alleged suspect has not been officially identified by the police. Fico, known for his controversial political stance in Slovakia, gained prominence through his pro-Russian and anti-US rhetoric. In January, he suspended aid to Ukraine.