Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s life is in danger after he was shot with a firearm, the government said, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs of that country called the attack an “assassination attempt”.
The Government of Slovakia said on Fico’s official Facebook account that several shots were fired at him and that he was transported by helicopter from the hospital in Handlova to the hospital in Banska Bistrica.
The extent of the injuries is not yet officially known, but several media, citing eyewitnesses, stated that he was shot in the abdomen and arm.
The hospital told reporters that the Slovak prime minister is in the clinic for vascular surgery, without giving further details.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during the parliamentary session and postponed it until further notice.
Minister of Labor Erik Tomas said that the other members of the government, as well as everyone who participated in the preparation of the meeting in Handlova, are fine.
Slovak President Zuzana Caputova confirmed in a statement posted on the X social network that the police had detained the suspect and said officials would provide more information when possible.
“We are all shocked by the terrible and vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fitz. We may not yet fully understand the seriousness of what happened today,” said Čaputova.
