Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded Wednesday while greeting supporters at a event in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe weeks before an election.
The gunman shot Fico, 59, five times, leaving Slovakia's prime minister in critical condition, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told a news briefing.
A suspect was in custody and an initial investigation found “a clear political motivation” behind the assassination attempt, said Sutaj Estok at a joint press briefing with Slovakia's defence minister.
Doctors were still fighting for his life several hours after the pro-Russian leader was hit in the abdomen, Defence Minister Robert Kalina told reporters.
He said an operation on Fico was not yet complete and described his condition as “extraordinarily serious”.
The shooting in the central Slovak town of Handlova, which Slovak media said was carried out by a 71-year-old man, stunned the small central European nation.
Footage posted on X shortly after the attack showed panicked scenes, with people fleeing the area as police sealed off the scene.
Fico was rushed to hospital in Handlova where he had been chairing a government meeting. He was then transported by helicopter to regional capital Banska Bystrica for urgent treatment.
Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.
“I’m shocked,” Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”
Slovakia’s major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television.
“We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today's shooting of Premier Robert Fico," said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. “At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension.”
A former bodybuilder, Fico returned to power in Slovakia after elections last year, at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition.
Read moreBodybuilding, fast cars and misogyny: Slovakia’s populist Robert Fico returns to power
A fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin and fast cars, Fico ran an anti-migrant campaign and promised to bring "stability, order and well-being" in Slovakia.
'Vile attack'
The shooting in Slovakia came three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.
The EU's top two chiefs joined several other European leaders in condemning the attack.
"I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.
"Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family," she said.
European Council President Charles Michel followed up on X saying he was "shocked at the news".
"Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks. My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family," he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "shocked" by the attack, which he "strongly condemned".
"Shocked by the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. I strongly condemn this attack," said Macron said on X; "My thoughts and solidarity are with him, his family and the people of Slovakia."
US President Joe Biden condemned the attempted assassination and said the US Embassy was ready to assist the Slovak government, according to a statement released by the White House.
"I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico," Biden said. "We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist."
Zelensky slams 'appalling' attack, Putin calls for 'speedy' recovery
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the "appalling" attack and wished Fico a speedy recovery.
"We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner state's head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere," he said in a message on social media.
From Moscow, Putin also condemned the attack, calling it a "monstrous" crime.
"There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation," Putin said in a telegram to Slovak President Caputova.
Putin also wished Fico "a speedy and full recovery".
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was "shocked and appalled by the shooting" and wished Fico a speedy recovery.
"I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia," Stoltenberg wrote on X.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters)
