Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in an attempted assassination as he was leaving a government meeting on Wednesday. A government minister said that Fico is no longer in a critical condition.
The gunman opened fire on Prime Minister Fico, 59, shooting him five times. Fico was initially in critical condition and underwent surgery hours later on Wednesday evening.
Environment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia, Tomas Taraba, told the BBC’s Newshour, “He is not in a life-threatening situation at the moment.” One bullet, according to Taraba, entered Fico’s stomach, and the other struck a joint.
“This attempt at assassination was politically motivated, and the perpetrator’s decision was formulated shortly after the presidential election,” said Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, pointing to the April election victory of Peter Pellegrini, a Fico ally.
Fico’s administration has reduced its support for Ukraine while establishing channels of communication with Russia. Additionally, the RTVS public broadcaster is undergoing a strategic makeover.
Slovakia’s European Union allies, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden, expressed shock and condemnation at the shooting.
