Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico has been shot multiple times and rushed to hospital, the country’s interior ministry has reportedly confirmed.
An assasination attempt was carried out on Mr Fico on Wednesday afternoon, a ministry spokesperson confirmed to Reuters, but gave no details on his injuries.
The incident took place in the town of Handlova, around 150 kilometres northeast of the capital Bratislava on Wednesday, according to news television station TA3.
A suspect has been detained, it said, while adding that Mr Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked to hear this awful news” and “all our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family”.
Mr Fico was conscious when he was taken to a hospital and was treated for bullet wounds, a hospital spokesperson told Reuters.
The prime minister was transported to a higher-level facility after treatment in Handlova hospital, the spokesperson added.
President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.
“I'm shocked,” Ms Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”
Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said.
The incident took place in front of the local House of Culture, where Mr Fico arrived to meet with supporters. Police sealed off the scene.
A reporter for the daily newspaper Dennik N daily heard shooting and then saw rescuers carrying the premier to a car.
Emergency services dispatched a helicopter to a man, aged 59, in Handlova after reports of a shooting, a local emergency service said on Facebook.
Romania’s prime minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Profoundly shocked by the news coming from Slovakia. I convey my most sincere thoughts to the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“Such extreme acts have no justification and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote: “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good.
“My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family.”
Mr Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakia's September 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message.
Critics worried Slovakia under Mr Fico would abandon the country's pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist prime minister Viktor Orban.
Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest over Mr Fico's policies.
